Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We are not leaderless because we have a steady rudder.

I extend our congratulations to the leaders of the various parties and groups, including Senator Fitzgerald, Senator White, Senator Boyle and, in particular, Senator Cassidy who has served this House with distinction previously. We look forward to keeping him under pressure. I will respond later to some of the points made by him.

I am delighted that the number of Members representing County Kerry in the House has increased by 100%. We have almost enough Members to create a Kerry group. It could be a good week for Kerry all round.

Ba mhaith liom fáilte ar leith a chur rompu. Is céim chun cinn tábhachtach i saol daonlathach na tíre seo go bhfuil ionadaí ó Sinn Féin anseo linn don chéad uair riamh. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Seanadóir Pearse Doherty for that reason. I look forward to hearing his contribution. In as much as the country is becoming more diverse, this is the most diverse Seanad of which I have been a Member. Sa mhéad sin, caithfidh mé fáilte a chur roimh an Chomhaontas Glas, the Green Party, with its new views and ideas. I hope the Senator's party does not get suffocated in Government. We have watched small parties on the Government benches die, and we have given them every opportunity.