Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Senator Paddy Burke ar bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach. When Senator Mary White indicated that she would single out for special mention one of the Taoiseach's nominees, I was disappointed that it was not me. However, I will get over that. I agree with my Sinn Féin colleague, Senator Cullinane, that it might be a good idea to have a representative from the North sitting in the Seanad. Bearing in mind what Senator Ó Clochartaigh said, ní ionann cáint agus gníomh. It might have been a good idea to invite the daughter of Mrs. Jean McConville or some such person to be in the Seanad.

I am from Haggardstown and I have never heard of a Haggardstown republican or a Dungarvan republican. We are all Irish people. The great Sinn Féin was founded by Arthur Griffith, a pacifist and a monarchist. I was disappointed that Sinn Féin stayed outside the gate during the Queen's visit. We even had Mr. Tom Elliott and Mr. Peter Robinson. A balance must be struck but I will not spend the next few years listening to debates about who is or is not a republican. I have to get that off my chest.

I was warned that the speech of the Joycean scholar, Senator Norris, would be lengthy but I enjoyed every minute of it. It is time we stopped seeing ourselves through the looking glass of a servant. We are a proud people, as we proved this week and last week. We are all Irish people and I am here as a Haggardstown man, a Dundalk man and an Irishman.

The Cathaoirleach is a good guy. I am delighted he is in the Chair and I look forward to working with him.