Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the "others", and a number of us sitting on the benches here, I would also like to thank Tom warmly for his service over the past 35 years or so. It is fair to say he has always been a good friend of mine. As the Ceann Comhairle knows, Deputies cherish deeply the support system provided by the Oireachtas staff, Oireachtas commission staff and, indeed, the ushers. Very often, the first sounding board we have in regard to public policy comes from our friends around the house and from the ushers. I know Tom has been a diligent, committed public servant, a really dedicated staff member of these Houses, and he has carried out all of his duties as usher and Head Usher to perfection. Over my own 20-plus years in this House, I have had to seek the protection at times of the Ceann Comhairle and, indeed, earlier Ceann Comhairligh, and I have always received tremendous help and support from our staff of ushers, Tom in particular. I want to wish him very well on behalf of the "others" on these benches.

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