Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

——particularly reform of the university panel. I congratulate the voters of the five panels who had a 99.7% turnout in the election, unlike the university panel voters where the turnout was 34% or 35%. How undemocratic is that panel?

As Leader of the Fianna Fáil group in the 23rd Seanad, it gives me great pleasure to propose Senator Pat Moylan as Cathaoirleach. Senator Moylan will bring to this position a great wealth of experience. He has served his local authority in County Offaly since 1976 and has the distinction of having been chairman of that local authority in 1991 and in 1992. He is a former member and colleague of mine on the Midland Health Board and was a distinguished chairman of that board in 1999 and 2000. He is a former member of the Midland Regional Authority, and of the EU Committee of the Regions from 1999 to 2000. Senator Pat Moylan was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1997 on the agricultural panel where he was spokesperson on tourism, sport and recreation. He was also a member of the Joint Services Committee.

For years I have seen at first hand Senator Moylan's dedication and total commitment to this House through his role as assistant Chief Whip from 1997 to 2002 and, for the past five years, as Government Chief Whip in this House. Senator Moylan has a great deal of respect for the House and its traditions. I have no doubt he will display the utmost impartiality and uphold the high standards of fairness that attach to the Chair. For these reasons I have great pleasure in proposing Senator Pat Moylan for the position of Cathaoirleach of the 23rd Seanad.