Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I, too, wish the Cathaoirleach well. I thank him for all his kindness, help and courtesy over the years. We served in a number of Seanadaí together. I was present on the unfortunate evening on which he lost his seat and I and many others were delighted when he regained it eight or ten months later. I wish him, his wife and his family well. It is a joy to see that his family will continue to be involved in public life.

I also pay tribute to those who played major roles during the lifetime of this Seanad. We will probably say more about that matter tomorrow.

It would be remiss of us — I was surprised this matter was not mentioned — not to congratulate Deputy Bertie Ahern on becoming Taoiseach for the third time. His three in a row is a marvellous and historic achievement that no one else managed in the past 50 years.

I congratulate all the Deputies who became Ministers and Ministers of State and I wish the Government well. If the latter does as good a job as its predecessors in the past ten years, Ireland plc——