Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ar an chéad dul síos I compliment you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. You have been a wonderful role model since you were first elected to this Parliament. I love to listen to you when you speak. I am blessed to have five wonderful daughters and six granddaughters. Indeed, they are my support team. I also wish to thank my staff and helpers in the office, without whom I could not manage, including Geraldine, Vivienne, May, Cathy, Triona, Mairéad, Councillor Máirín and Caroline, who all do tremendous work for me daily. When I am not there, they deal with the public. They get many compliments. Obviously, they do not always get success, but they are a brilliant support team for me.

I compliment Rachael Blackmore, who could not miss on Minella Lad, and the Nallen family, Elizabeth and John. I also compliment the Daughters of Dún Iascaigh, a wonderful group of people who came together to acknowledge the history of the suffragettes and everything else over the centuries. They had a wonderful afternoon tea and open-air event in The Square in Cahir last Sunday, which was attended by hundreds.

It was to raise money for the wonderful Cuan Saor refuge in Clonmel. It does tremendous work. It should be funded by the Government. We are privileged to have it. Many counties do not have a women's refuge. I am delighted it does such work. There are people such as Josephine Casey, Patsy McGuirk, Fidelma and many others. It was a lovely and joyous occasion. I was not at the function because it was female only. They had a wonderful evening. They came out in their finery and displayed wonderful courage, wonderful enjoyment and wonderful fun and contributed hugely to charity. I thank all the women I come across and say sorry to any of them if I have ever offended them. We must praise them as we go along.

See this speech in context