Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

As Leader of the House and of the Fianna Fáil Party in the House, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Senator Pat Moylan on his election to the position of Cathaoirleach of the 23rd Seanad. His election represents a continuity of excellence and he will lead us with great dignity, impartiality and fairness, continuing the tradition established by his predecessors.

I wish to digress for a moment. It is almost as if nothing happened in the Seanad but we have 25 new Members and 35 re-elected Members in the House. That is an enormous change. From 1997, when I first became Leader, the Seanad has secured 30% of all legislation initiated. A great deal is being done in this House. If there is any imbalance, it is the lack of respect by the media for this House when Bills are initiated here. When a Bill is initiated in Dáil Éireann it receives significant coverage and respect on television, radio and in the press. I compliment "Oireachtas Report" and Mr. Jimmy Walsh of The Irish Times but the rest of those in the media have much to do to play their part in covering what takes place in Seanad Éireann.

I am reluctant to say this today, on this joyous occasion when a wonderful man is taking office, but something urgent must be done by the national broadcaster regarding the coverage of the recent Seanad elections. It was appalling, to say the least. There was no text information on any channel nor coverage in the hourly news bulletins. This is one of the most democratic assemblies we have ever had, an assembly for which people gave their lives. As Leader, I intend to discuss the situation with the director general and the chairman of the RTE Authority, who have a responsibility to give fair coverage to both Houses of Parliament, in particular to our activities as Members and active participants in a democratic assembly working on behalf of the people of Ireland.

This is a great day for the Cathaoirleach's wife, Mary, his three sons and his daughter Sinéad, who is carrying the torch at local election level in County Offaly as a member of the local authority, for his native town of Banagher and County Offaly as a whole. Many people may not know that the new Cathaoirleach was a distinguished sportsman. He won ten championships with St. Rynagh's in hurling, the first love of the gaels in the hurling district of the midlands. He won three Leinster senior championships with his club, which is a great distinction. He represented his county at under-21, minor and senior levels. His family is renowned for hurling. When I was wearing the maroon of Westmeath at minor level, I remember meeting his brother, Barnie, who was a tremendous hurler.

Pat Moylan continued to actively participate in hurling when he finished as a player. He was a selector on the Offaly minor team that won the 1986 and 1987 All-Ireland minor hurling championships. Offaly missed out in 1988 but they brought Pat Moylan back in 1989 and he trained Offaly to win the All-Ireland minor championship again. He contributed greatly to the success of his native county.

The Cathaoirleach is a lifetime member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, of which I am also a member. It must be said that Ms Deirdre Lane and Ms Jody Corcoran have been the backbone of Seanad Éireann and I wish to acknowledge every——