Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand that the business to which we are speaking this afternoon is a motion to adjourn the House. It occurs to me that rather than prolong the matter too much, we have a number of months to go as Senators. In that context, if any of those present are patient, I can keep going.I want to start by thanking the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the wonderful service given to this House and the friendship, kindness and competence they have demonstrated. I also want to thank Martin Groves and Bridget Doody, who are here, for the immaculate way in which they have performed their functions and encouraged us to keep the dignity of this House while at the same time, accepting the diversity of this Seanad compared with others and the absence of a ruling Whip in it.

I listened to Senator Ruane, who discussed her background and her concerns here, as she has done on other occasions. I will say in passing that on trips abroad, one of which was to Morocco while I have also been recently been to Taiwan, it is great to make prolonged contact with fellow Members of this House because one gets to understand them a good deal more. On one occasion, she recounted an outing before Judge James Paul McDonnell in the District Court in Tallaght. I wondered recently whether she noticed in the newspapers a man who was prosecuted for stealing 42 packets of rashers. When Judge McDonnell asked the man whether he was pleading guilty or not guilty, he said "Galtee".