Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am sure the Taoiseach, whom I welcome to the House, understands better than most that the Independent group does not have a leader. I am speaking on behalf of my colleagues, particularly the father of the House, Senator Ross. We wish to be associated with the remarks that have been made so far.

I pay tribute to the Taoiseach's commitment and success in a number of areas, including his constituency, the State, the island and Europe. It all needs to be looked at. I have been aware of the Taoiseach's constituency work since I got involved in public life, just after he was elected. At that time, we were trying to deal with a difficult group of young teachers in a school in the Taoiseach's constituency. They had a particularly difficult leader, who is now making life difficult for the Taoiseach from the backbenches of the Dáil, where he is known as Deputy Finian McGrath. I remember the Taoiseach talking to me about Deputy McGrath in the late 1970s or early 1980s when he was looking for an extra teacher for the school in which he was teaching at the time. The Taoiseach has always had a great concern for his constituency. In those days, he was trying to get something moving in the area of school disadvantage. I pay tribute to the Taoiseach for leading the way in his party in terms of getting recognition for educational disadvantage.

It is poignant that today marks the first time that talks on a national agreement are taking place without my involvement or that of the Taoiseach. We hope they can carry on without us. I know they can do without me, but I am not sure they can do without the Taoiseach. I hope his wisdom will be available to them.

The key to the Taoiseach's character has been the trust he inspires in people and shows in them. I can think of many occasions on which he had to take a leap of faith. He had to accept the word of people like me. He did not mind having to make hard calls in various situations. I recognise his skill as a negotiator.

I pay tribute to the commitment and involvement you showed during your two terms as Minister for Labour. I recall talking to you on Leinster Lawn in 1989 as the then Taoiseach prepared to announce his new Cabinet. You intimated to me that you would not mind a move from the then Department of Labour. I said I would be quite happy if you stayed in that Department, which you did on that occasion. You were accessible at all times as you revised this country's policy in the labour area.

Many tributes have been paid to the Taoiseach over recent weeks. They will continue to be paid gan focal ráite agam mar gheall ar an obair atá déanta aige ó thaobh cúrsaí sa Tuaisceart agus cúrsaí na hEorpa. There is no point in me adding to such comments other than to recognise, as Senator Fitzgerald did, the skills shown by the Taoiseach during the negotiations which took place when Ireland held the EU Presidency. We all took pride in what the Taoiseach did during that high point in his career.

In paying tribute to the Taoiseach, it is worthwhile to mention that there are ups and downs in all political lives. I can say without hesitation or fear of contradiction that when the balance sheet is drawn up to reflect the course of the Taoiseach's political life, I have no doubt that what is on the credit side will far outweigh anything that might appear on the debit side.