Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I pay tribute to Shay Byrne and Liam Lynch on their retirement from the Houses and hope both of them will continue to perform other duties. As one of the longest serving Members, I met Shay in 1977 when he was a very young usher. I recall that he used to take at least two holidays in the sun every year. This might have changed when he got married, settled down and had children.

Few of the current Senators, with the exception perhaps of Senator O'Toole, have had their service to the House interrupted for a lengthy period. Even when my appearances were irregular, Shay showed the same courtesy to me as he did when I was re-elected to the House. This applies to all staff of the House. Those few of us who have lost our seats for a period were always treated fantastically by all staff.

A number of other ushers retired recently and I wish them well. I hope they will be replaced. I have never known a period during which so many ushers have left the Houses. Shay is only retiring from his current duties as he is moving to pastures green.