Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

Before moving to Questions on Promised Legislation, for the information of the House I want to remind it that on 29 December, somebody very well-known to us who is highly respected by all of us will leave the service of the House to retire and to spend more time with his wife, Lorraine. I am speaking about our deputy head usher and head of events, Tom Hickey. Tom has been with us since 2001. He worked initially in the inquiries office before becoming a team leader and he became events manager in 2011. He has been involved in a multiplicity of work and actions here including the State commemorations, most notably the 1916 commemoration, culture night events and open house events.

He is an avid rugby fan with Leinster Rugby as his team of choice. He is on the Oireachtas rugby committee, used to be on the team, and helped to organise the trip to Japan in 2019 - I would say that it was a lot cheaper than the RTÉ one - and to France in 2023. He also helped to organise trips to Scotland and England and to play against Westminster.

I think we have all found him unfailingly helpful and courteous, primus inter paresI would say, and he has been a wonderful tour organiser. We wish him all the very best in the many healthy and happy years ahead. Tom, thank you.

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