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

Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Fianna Fáil, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leat, Bernard, as ucht an méid oibre atá curtha isteach agat i rith na blianta sa Teach seo. Táimid go léir fíorbhuíoch duit. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh tú taitneamh agus sásamh as na blianta atá le teacht.

I join the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in thanking Mr. Bernard Hand for his years of service to the House. I wish him all the best on his retirement after 20 years of exemplary service to the Houses of the Oireachtas. He is a team leader in every sense and has reflected the very special contribution the ushers of the Houses have made over a long time to the ambience and atmosphere here. They have exuded a sense of calm but also firm - I hate to use the word "control" - management of the Houses. Unlike other Parliaments, ours has an easy informality on one level, but there is equally a sense that things are exceptionally well managed.

I draw this conclusion from the many visitors to the Oireachtas: students, young children and others who do not initially know what they are entering. They have a vision or sense of it, but their feedback after being brought on tours or breathing in the ambience is significant. This is in large measure due to the dignity and calmness that Bernard and his colleagues have brought to the task. We are forever in Bernard's debt for his contribution.

Regarding the success of the Dublin football team, it has been a great couple of years. There was a good phrase once about Cork: the mushroom may fade, but Cork never will. We are there at any stage in any year. Mayo had better hurry up because we will not hang around too much longer for Mayo to do it.

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