Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

On behalf of the Fine Gael Senators in the House, I would like to wish Mr. Frank Lane every success in his retirement. Frank is a very special person, not least because he is a constituent of mine. As I travel around St.Aongus's estate in Tallaght I see him regularly cultivating his chrysanthemums. He has been a feature of this House for many years. His commitment to the dignity of the Oireachtas and his personal attention to Members embodied the man because his tradition is the Army. He has spent a considerable period of his life in the Defence Forces and even when he left he was very much involved in the FCA in terms of recruiting young people, particularly in Tallaght, and encouraging them to become involved. I know of his commitment to the Army, the FCA and this House. It is right that we mark his retirement today. On behalf of Fine Gael Senators, I wish him and his wife every success in his retirement. Whether the day was good or bad, Frank never changed his expression. He remained expressionless, a trait which is useful to glean as a politician. I learned a lot from him over the years in that regard.