Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. I have had the pleasure of working with him for the past nine years. On each occasion he acted as Chair in that period, he gave us all great confidence and will do so as we look to the future of what will be a pivotal Seanad.

Like Senator Leyden, I pay tribute to Senator Norris, who made a very good speech on which we should all reflect. If we are all to take our responsibilities seriously, we should reflect on how best to repay the office we will be honoured to hold over the coming years. I, too, am a reformist as opposed to an abolitionist and believe the Seanad can make a wonderful contribution. The Seanad, despite some of its great achievements and the great people who have served therein, as mentioned by Senator Norris, has performed below its potential. With the Taoiseach's 11 nominees and the talent we have on both sides, including new and older Senators, there is a great opportunity to seize the day and make a contribution to the recovery of this nation. This can be achieved through reform of the Seanad and by acting outside normal day-to-day political gunfire, as we have done today through the unanimous election of the Cathaoirleach. I hope the kind of constructive debate we have heard today will continue.

It would be remiss of me, as somebody from the west, not to mark the unusual circumstances whereby so many Members from Sligo have been elected. I wish them all, my neighbours, every success and look forward to working with them in all our interests and in the interest of all the vocational panels and other interests that will be so important as we try to navigate our way through the difficulties of the coming months and years.