David Norris (Independent)

I wish to add my voice to those that have congratulated the Cathaoirleach on his election to this distinguished post. I can think of nobody better equipped to fill the role. I met Senator Moylan in the car park when I had just learnt that he would be Cathaoirleach and said privately, as I am happy to say here, that he is an outstanding choice. As Government Whip of the Fianna Fáil group in the Seanad, he operated with courtesy, fairness and integrity, and showed himself to be hard-working and amenable to suggestion. Those are the qualities needed in this role.

It is a tribute to the Senator that there was no election. In the past I proposed Members from the Independent group as candidates for Cathaoirleach because I thought it important in a democracy that we should have an election, but I am happy that Senator Moylan is an outstanding candidate and I look forward to working with him.

I was entertained by the Cathaoirleach's reference to his nomination by his colleagues on the left and wondered was it a reference to the socialism of the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern.