Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of all Members, to pay a special tribute to Kieran Coughlan, sitting in front of me, who retires as Secretary General and Clerk of Dáil Éireann in the coming weeks after a long and distinguished career of public service to the State. Kieran arrived in Leinster House in 1973 and has served in many roles in the Houses of the Oireachtas. All Members can agree this is a very different place than it was 40 years ago. Having been here for almost that length of time myself, I can discern many of the changes that have occurred through the lifetime of many Governments. For example, there have been changes to and modernisation of the communications systems that apply in terms of politics and the Oireachtas, as well as the introduction of Oireachtas broadcasting. There was a time when the only coverage given was in the newspapers of the day by the distinguished members of the Fourth Estate in the Visitors Gallery, as well as the odd reflection on radio. It has moved a long way with the instantaneous communication people now have.

See this speech in context