Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)

I too wish to be associated with the tributes being paid to Senator Maurice Hayes. The first time I heard of him was nearly 54 years ago, when Down won its first All-Ireland football title. He was secretary of the Down county board at the time and I am sure he played a significant part in achieving that great success over Kerry, where, as Senator O'Toole said, Senator Hayes has ancestral connections.

It is a great honour, not only for Senator Maurice Hayes but for the Seanad, because this is the first time a Senator has been awarded this high honour. In this sense, he has created history, and I join in the congratulations.