Speech by Brian CowenTD following his announcement as leader-elect of Fianna Fáil
"I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom labhairt i mo theanga dhúchais. Is mór an onóir dom ceannaracht an pharti a ghlacadh agus táim fíor bhuíoch do mo chomhpholaiteóirí, mo cháirde, a roghnaigh mé don post fíor-thábhactach seo.
"Ó bhíos ar scoil, tá grá agam don teanga agus tá sé ar intinn agam gach tacaíocht a thabhairt do fhorbairt na gaoluinne amach anseo. Cé nách féidir linn go léir ár dteanga a labhairt go liofa, táim cinnte go bhfuilimid báuíl di. De bhárr go bhfuil cónaí orainn ar oileán atá ar imeall na hEorpa, níl brú orainn gaoluinn a labhairt.
"Dá mbeimís lonnaithe i lár na hEorpa táim cinnte go mbeadh gaoluinn már chéad teanga again mar bheimís ag eisteacht le teangacha éagsúla agus in iomaíocht leo.
"Is cuid dár gcultúr dár n-oidhreacht, dár bhféinionannas í, ár dteanga agus caithimidne, baill Fhianna Fáil, tréan iarracht a dhéanamh chun gaoluinn a chur chun cinn.
"Sar i bhfad béimid ag plé Chonradh Liospóin agus tá sé de dhualgas orainn teanga bhinn ár sinnsear a fhorbairt agus féin aitheantas mhuintir na hÉireann a chothu.
"Sé atá a mholadh agam ná stadas na teanga a ardú agus sochaí na tíre a spreagadh agus a ghriosadh chun cuspóirí ár sinnsear a bhaint amach.
"The parliamentary party, general secretary, fellow colleagues, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.
"It is truly a great honour for me to have been chosen as leader-elect of Fianna Fáil by my fellow deputies in the parliamentary party. I regard it as a great privilege and the highlight of my political career thus far.
"We had our meeting last night of the parliamentary party where we paid due tribute to our outgoing leader, Bertie Ahern Teachta Dala. All in the party are committed to an orderly and successful transition. It will be dignified.
"Today is a proud moment for me, my wife Mary, my two daughters, Sinead and Maedhbh. Their support has been immense. It is also a poignant and proud day for my mother May, my brothers and members of my wider family.
"On a personal level, I am excited by the challenge, if somewhat daunted by the responsibility. That sense of responsibility is rooted in the history of the party and the achievements of its leaders.
"One of their number, Seán Lemass - a political giant in our cause - described most eloquently for me what should be at the heart of politics. He said: 'Personally, I believe that national progress of any kind depends on an upsurge of patriotism - a revival of patriotism if you will, directed towards constructive purposes.'
"He went on to say: 'Patriotism, as I understand it, is a combination of love of country, pride in its history, traditions and culture, and a determination to add to its prestige and achievements.'
"I remarked to my colleagues in the parliamentary party this morning that on this occasion, on the appointment of a new leader, it is incumbent on all of us to subscribe and rededicate ourselves to that political credo today. Let it be the inspiration and motivation for everything we set out to do.
"I am proud of the Fianna Fáil party - the Republican Party. Proud of its name. Proud of what we can be, and represent, at our best.
"Working together we will continue to build the Republic and to realise the ambition, the hope and promise of the Easter Proclamation.
"We strive to build a country strong and free, with decent living standards for all, where our elderly are secure and respected and where our young people can look to their future in Ireland with confidence.
"Now more than ever, in the years ahead, we will work towards making that dream a reality.
"My commitment to my colleagues, to my party members, and to my fellow citizens today, is that on becoming leader of Fianna Fáil and hopefully taoiseach of Ireland on the 7th of May next, I will devote all my abilities and all my energies to that task.
"Go raibh maith agaibh."