Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The measure of how well a person does his or her job is how easy he makes it look. On behalf of the Independent benches I say go raibh míle maith agat as ucht do chuid oibre ar feadh dhá scór bliain anois and it is very much appreciated. He has dealt courteously over the years with those of us who have only rented seats in these two Houses.

I often saw Shay going about his business and he was here long before I came here. He reminds me of the poem about the river which goes "For men may come and men may go/But I go on forever". He is calling a halt on it now. I speak for myself and my colleagues when I say his time here has always been marked by a great level of courtesy, calmness and a great sense of dependency. People have felt that if Shay was asked to do something, one knew immediately if he could or could not do it. He would always deliver.

He is also a great example of leadership by example, which is important. Leadership is often destroyed by loud and direct orders, and Shay marked his term as somebody who does his work in a quietly spoken, efficient and effective manner. This has won for him the respect of colleagues, staff and Members of both Houses. This is appreciated and we would like Shay to take away with him the idea that this is how we saw and still see him. That is important.

I have mentioned public servants and service here many times over the past few months so I thank Shay for his diligence as a perfect example of how a public servant should give public service that wins respect from all sides. He has done this very effectively. To paraphrase Gilbert and Sullivan, he is the very model of a modern public servant. To him and his colleague, Liam Lynch, who is also leaving this week, go raibh míle maith agaibh. To Shay, go raibh míle maith agat as ucht do chuid oibrear ár son agus go n-éirí leat amach anseo.

Those going on a pension should have a list of duties to begin immediately rather than taking two months off. Shay should also ensure he collects the pension for as long he contributed to it.