Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I believe it is the latter, given all the truculence and the difficulties that Members present to him from time to time. As the Leader stated, Éamon is a gifted horseman and a former Olympian. Throughout his time in Leinster House he has been courteous, efficient and helpful to all the Members and the various groupings.

One of the great tributes to Éamon O'Donohoe is the fact that the Houses of the Oireachtas are neutral. Parties and individuals come and go but these Houses remain. Éamon has a great sense of the dignity of the Houses and he is hugely respectful of their traditions. It is vitally important that whoever holds the position of Superintendent continues that tradition and the very high standards he has set. That is something to which all Members would subscribe. One of the first times I remember him acting with great gusto was at a joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad when we welcomed a famous dignitary whom he presented to the Houses with great distinction.