Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies, I join colleagues in extending our warmest good wishes to Shay Byrne and Liam Lynch on their retirement from the service of the Houses of the Oireachtas this week. Over my 13 plus years here, Shay has epitomised the graciousness that is a quality of all the usher staff here and I do not only mean to the Members of both Houses. As Deputy Gilmore mentioned, this is reflected time after time by constituents who access what is in the end of the day not Tithe an Oireachtais but teach na ndaoine, the people's House. The ushers are courteous and devote time to engage with and host various visiting groups - be they school or disabilities groups - and members of the public who come on tours to witness the work and the business of these Houses and, without question, it has been my experience always that they are very grateful for the way they are received. That is a tremendous tribute to Shay as Head Usher in his time in that role and through all the years of service he has given.

I arrived in the House on my own with nobody from my party here before me and the ushers, as I have recorded previously, helped me find my feet and my way around this institution and I am always grateful for that. Liam Lynch has been a particular treat different mornings coming here. He always has something humorous to share or a comment to make that would lift one. He has a positive outlook on all of life's challenges and even on the greater difficulties of the more recent past and today. He still meets Members in good humour and he will certainly be missed here.

On behalf of myself and the Sinn Féin team, I wish Shay and Liam many years of health and happiness to enjoy their retirement.

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