Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I wish to echo much of what Senator Brian Hayes has said. I wish all colleagues standing for election in either the Seanad or the Dáil the best of luck. I do not subscribe to the view that if somebody fails to be elected to one House and stands for another, this in some way diminishes the House. The Seanad has been extraordinarily enriched by the contributions of people who were defeated in standing for election to the other House. All I ask is that Members coming into the Seanad make the contribution they can make.

In the case of this particular Seanad, my greatest regret is that once again we have failed to achieve reform of the House as we set out to do. I am potentially one of the greatest losers, since no primary teachers who graduated since 1995 can vote for me. This is a matter of great personal interest, I can assure the House.