Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I would like to associate myself and the Fine Gael Party with the expression of gratitude for public service to Mr. Des Edwards, Mr. Paddy Behan and Mr. Frank Lane. Between them, they gave more than a century of courteous, dedicated, efficient and common-sense service to people from all walks of life who came through the gates of Leinster House and to Members from many Governments and parties over the last 40 years.

They all learned their trade from the inimitable great servant, Mr. Paddy Cullagh, who trained all these young men in the last 50 years. Anybody in a position to have a word with Paddy before he did a tour of Leinster House would make sure the names were mentioned up there in the ranks of the famous Taoisigh and those who pretended to be Taoisigh in the House.

I hope Des has a happy new career. That trio gave outstanding service and are role models for all those who have come into the House as ushers and as servants of the public in so many ways.

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