Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I will be brief because previous speakers have expressed the sentiments we all share. I acknowledge how courteous, good humoured and pleasant and efficient Shay has been. We are all very grateful to him for the manner in which he has treated us all and for being highly approachable at all times. He is a perfect gentlemen and has done a great job during the years. I wish him well.

I join colleagues in extending warm thanks to Liam Lynch for his good work. Liam has a distinctive sense of humour and pleasantness. We are blessed with the ushers we have. We should acknowledge their courtesy and helpfulness and ensure we do not take them for granted.

Senator O'Toole expressed the hope Shay would manage to extract from the pension fund as much as he had put into it. Looking over at him, there is every probability he will achieve this.