John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)

The Taoiseach will be aware there is a long-standing convention that the Ceann Comhairle does not participate in tributes such as this. Let it be said that the fact something is left unsaid does not mean it is also unfelt. I join with all of the party leaders in wishing you, sir, long life, happiness and success.

In the immortal words of a Prime Minister from a different jurisdiction in a different context, now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

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