Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil do Kieran as ucht an méid oibre atá déanta aige le linn a thréimhse sa Dáil agus san Oireachtas. Is léir go n-oibríonn sé go dian dícheallach ar son gach éinne. Níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil a dhea-thionchar le feiscint ar chúrsaí parlaiminte na Tithe seo le blianta beaga anuas. I join the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in first thanking Kieran Coughlan for his outstanding contribution to the evolution of our parliamentary system.

I wish him a happy and long retirement.

Undoubtedly, he will be seen as one of the great modernisers and modernising influences in the evolution of our Parliament. He has reached 40 years of service. Clearly, 1973 was a very important year. I began secondary school, Cork won the All-Ireland football final after a long absence of many years-----

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