Rónán Mullen (Independent)

A Chathaoirligh, ba bhreá liom mo ghuth a chur leis na guthanna siúd atá ag gabháil chomhghairdis leat ar an ocáid seo. Is lá iontach duit fhéin é, is lá iontach dod' mhuintir é agus, dar ndóigh, is lá iontach go mhuintir Uíbh Fhailí é. Offaly appears to be in the ascendancy politically. I hope it has better fortune in matters related to Gaelic games in due course. As one of the leaderless in this House I add my voice to those who congratulate the Cathaoirleach. I envy him because it appears there was no doubt that he was the man for the job. In recent days not only did I not hear anything bad about him, or that he was given the charity of silence, it was much more than that. Everyone said he was a model of fairness and gentleness. It is only a matter of time before he acquires a nickname as he comes to be known as the benign, impartial fellow from Offaly.

I add my voice to those calling for Seanad reform. As someone returned by the good graduates of NUI, who I hope will continue as they started, it might seem that in calling for Seanad reform particularly in relation to the election of the University candidates, I am like a turkey voting for Christmas. However, it must be said that the respect due to this Chamber because of the great debates that take place here over the years, is not forthcoming, perhaps because of the manner in which some Members are elected. I support reform in this area. In the university sector I would like to be spared the embarrassment in five years time of having to canvass graduates for their votes only to learn that although they have degrees as good as mine, they are not entitled to vote. I urge Members, and those in higher places, to take seriously the imperative of Seanad reform. Senator Cassidy said that many people had given their lives for this House, and no doubt that is true but because of the lack of respect and the flaws in the means of election not many people would give their lives for this House right now. The task facing us is to continue the great tradition of debate and reform the House sufficiently. We must keep the pressure on the media, which I partially represent today, to give greater coverage to deliberations in the Chamber.

Mar sin, a Chathaoirligh, is mian liom mo bhuíochas agus mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leat arís, agus le mo chomhghleacaithe anseo, agus gach ráth a guí oraibh don téarma atá le teacht.