Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Senator Norris, the father of the House, on a wonderful and presidential type speech.

It is a great honour for me to have been elected as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann and I thank Members for the privilege they have conferred unanimously on me in electing me Cathaoirleach. I am especially grateful to my party leader, the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, and my party and Government colleagues who selected me as their nominee. I thank my proposer, Senator Maurice Cummins, and my seconder, Senator Ivana Bacik and thank Senators Mullen and O'Brien for their kind words.

We live in a time of great change, nationally and globally. The ability to embrace change, welcome new opportunities, accept openness and new ways of doing business are the hallmarks of successful and dynamic nations. As a nation, we have demonstrated our ability to meet and overcome any trials and tests we face in order to change, transform and embrace openness and to demonstrate our natural hospitality. Only last week, we witnessed the historic and successful visit of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, which demonstrated a new maturity in our relationship with our nearest neighbour. The visit on Monday of US President Barack Obama was also an historic occasion which reinforced our bonds of friendship with the United States. These successful visits demonstrated that our standing in the world and that of our international reputation remains strong. However, we should not be complacent.

We also live in a time of unprecedented challenges, financial, economic, social, environmental and political. In the face of these challenges, there has been much discussion about the relevance of politics in providing solutions to our problems. There has been much discussion about the future role of the Seanad. Whatever the future holds for this House, it is incumbent on us as Senators in the 24th Seanad to demonstrate how we can contribute in a meaningful way to the democratic life of the State, meet and overcome the sizeable challenges we face, play a part in the regeneration of the country and thereby help to improve the lives of all citizens. The Seanad has an important role to play in Irish politics and I am keen that the 24th Seanad will form an effective and relevant part of the Oireachtas alongside the President, Dáil Éireann and Oireachtas committees.

My priority as Cathaoirleach will be to ensure there is a positive public perception of the Seanad. I take the opportunity to pay tribute to my immediate predecessor, Pat Moylan, and the other previous holders of this office. I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set by them and maintain the excellent record of impartiality and fairness which has been the hallmark of Cathaoirligh of Seanad Éireann.

In this House and throughout the Oireachtas we are fortunate to be served by loyal, dedicated and hard-working staff in the Clerk of the Seanad, Ms Deirdre Lane, and the Clerk Assistant, Ms Jody Blake, who I am sure will be only too happy to provide guidance and advice for Members of the House, particularly the new Members - young Senators as I call them. My door will always be open to Members if they require assistance or help in any way.

Before I finish, it would be remiss of me not to take the opportunity to pay tribute to a former Member of the House and Dáil Éireann, the former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, who passed away last week. He was an example of a true politician, loyal public servant and statesman.

I thank my wife, Dolores, my mother, brothers and sister for the encouragement and support they have given me at all times in my involvement in public life. I also thank ICOS which nominated me and all those who voted for me in the Seanad election. As I take the Chair of the Seanad, I will endeavour to carry out my duties in an effective, fair and impartial manner.