Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I support the Leader's tributes to Liam Fitzgibbon, who has retired as Editor of Debates in these Houses. The hardest job of anyone in these Houses is to make sense of the ramblings of those of us in both Houses. Mr. Fitzgibbon and his staff have done the State some service in that regard. A serious issue arises, however, about the Editor of Debates and the transcripts that are produced. There is a constitutional requirement that the business of both Houses of the Oireachtas is conducted in public and that the public have a right to know what is said in debates within a very short timeframe by way of the written word. The transcripts that are provided are excellent and it is a great tribute to the staff under Mr. Fitzgibbon and the leadership he has given as Editor of Debates over his time in these Houses that they are so well regarded.

I want to pay my own tribute to Mr. Fitzgibbon, whom I have known for the past eight years. I can inform the Leader that he intends to remain active outside the Houses. He is an avid squash player and a great swimmer and I know he will get great entertainment from his grandchildren in particular in his retirement.