Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I join with other speakers in congratulating the Leas-Chathaoirleach on a job well done in the past ten years. I commend him on his kindness, help, his easy approach and lovely style of conducting business. On this sensitive day, he allowed Members to express their wishes without observing time. It is a sign of his understanding of the occasion.

I want to be associated with the remarks on the legendary Cathaoirleach, Senator Rory Kiely, who has been a friend to most of us for the past 30 years. I wish him well in his retirement. The clerks, Ms Deirdre Lane and Ms Jody Blake, are a safe pair of hands who run this House. Ms Lane, in particular, has been very kind and courteous to us all during the years. I thank the Seanad staff and the parliamentary reporters. I also thank Mr. Jimmy Walsh, who reports on our activities in the press, and "Oireachtas Report" which relays to the homes of Ireland the great work that takes place in the Seanad. Were it not for "Oireachtas Report" people would be at a disadvantage in understanding the great work and business done in the House.

For those Members who have the courage to retire, I wish them well. There are some young Members who will be retiring but I do not rule out the possibility that in the future they will return to assist us in the Oireachtas. I have had a wonderful working relationship with Senators Finucane and O'Meara and wish them well. I wish Senator Henry, an eminent Member, luck and happiness in her retirement. I wish Senator Brennan well. He is a great colleague whose home I visited the evening before last.

I have had a good working relationship with Senator Cox and wish her well. I wish Senator Fitzgerald well. He has been a Member of both Houses. Senator Bohan, the man from Drumlish, has been in the House for 20 years. He is a great friend to us all and has helped out many Members by giving them solid advice. He has been a great family friend as well as an Oireachtas colleague. The most experienced Member of the House, Senator Daly, has been a Member of the Lower House and a Minister. A close personal friend, I did my utmost to convince him to stand again for the Seanad. However, he wants to move on to greener pastures.