Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Before we proceed to Leaders' Questions, I would like to read a short note to welcome Julie Lyons and her family to the Gallery. I would like to take a moment of colleagues' time and ask them to join me in saying farewell to Julie, a friend of ours. Julie is retiring on Friday after 34 years in the Houses of the Oireachtas. We all know Julie as our amazing head chef, the woman who keeps the kitchen going and our tummies full. Julie has been with us since 1991, starting as a chef de partie, before being promoted to second head chef in 2020 and finally becoming the first female head chef in the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2023. Julie has many a story to tell of her time here, dealing with eight cinn comhairle and nine taoisigh. We will have to wait for the book.

Julie is joined today by her family: her two children, Miranda and Dan; their partners, Ed and Lorraine; her lovely grandchildren, Ruby, Lily, Teddy and George; and her brother and sister, Eamon and Deirdre. I know Julie's partner Brendan was hoping to attend so I hope he has made it. Hands up if he is with you. He is not here yet. Julie, from all of us here and on behalf of all of us who are missing, I would like to say wholeheartedly a massive thank you for your service. You are a treasure and everybody wishes you the very best.