Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

Tá mé an-bhuíoch as an seans seo chun cúpla focal a rá mar gheall ar shár-obair an Úachtaráin, Mháire Mhic Giolla Íosa. I am privileged to speak about the outgoing President, Mary McAleese. Article 15.1 of the Constitution deals with the Oireachtas and the Office of the Presidency.

Even though 14 years is a long time, every minute of the President's tenure has been spent tirelessly working at home and abroad on behalf of Irish people. She shone a beacon of light on all that is good about Ireland and the Irish people. She encouraged and supported the efforts of people in every community in these 32 counties. One of her greatest strengths was the way she made herself available to perform a wide range of functions, whether the opening of community halls or voluntary housing schemes, officiating at all-Ireland matches or supporting services for the needy. She supported and encouraged the volunteer groups without which our country would be much worse off. I am sure our next President will do likewise and I wish him well in his new role.

Her greatest achievement was on the peace process, on which she worked with her husband, Senator McAleese. I acknowledge the Taoiseach's decision to appoint Martin McAleese to the Seanad and I look forward to working with him when he fully takes up his responsibilities. They broke down barriers and built trust between communities. She defied the comments that were made against her during her election campaign and proved her detractors wrong.

Two delegations from the Northern Ireland Assembly visited the Houses of the Oireachtas this morning. History will be kind to the President and her husband. Whether she remains in a public role or resumes private life, she will be a good ambassador for her country. I wish the President, her husband and her three children a long and fruitful life. They can look with pride on the contribution she made to this country.

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