Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)

Everybody seems to think this is the last day on which the Seanad will meet. I believe we will be back for at least one day after the Dáil general election and before the Seanad general election. Lest we are not, I want to place on the record my belief that serving in this House is one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed on any Irish person. To have served here for 20 years is a very great privilege. I served with some amazing people. I cannot remember them all but there were former Senators Mick Lanigan, Willie Ryan, Paddy McGowan, Charlie McDonald, Michael Howard, Jackie Daly, John Magner, Gordon Wilson, John Robb, Tras Honan, Brian Friel, Sean Fallon, Seán Doherty and Des Hanafin. They were an amazing bunch of people, if one looks at their contributions over the years. Some of the current Senators, such as Senators Feargal Quinn and Shane Ross, are also amazing people. It is a great privilege to be here. We do not always agree, but there is not the same rancour there is in the Lower House. We respect the opinions of others even though they may differ from our own.

The next Seanad will be different in one respect in particular. We will see for the first time at least three Sinn Féin Senators. I hope they will be welcomed as they walk the path of democracy rather than adopting other means as in the past. They should be welcomed in the same way as we expect them to be welcomed to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

During the 20 years I have been here I have experienced nothing but courtesy, kindness and co-operation from all of the staff. From the various Leaders and Whips of my party and the other party in Government I have also experienced nothing other than courtesy. I reiterate that the greatest honour that can be bestowed on any person is to serve as a Member of the Upper House, Seanad Éireann.