Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

Tréaslaím leis an Chathaoirleach as ucht a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach an tSeanaid agus guím rath Dé air leis an obair thábhachtach atá roimhe. Go n-éirí an t-ádh leis.

I had not intended to contribute because many colleagues, especially new Members and the Cathaoirleach, are anxious to be reunited with their families, but one might as well be out of the world as out of fashion. Lest my silence be interpreted in any adverse way, I am delighted that Senator Burke has been elevated to the Chair. Short of any one of my own party colleagues being elected Cathaoirleach, the Senator is the person I would have most liked to take up the position because he has earned it having served as Leas-Chathaoirleach for many years. I endorse all the words of praise bestowed on him because he is a sound, decent man who will be a fair and competent Cathaoirleach.

It has been a wonderful year for his party in County Mayo. It has the Taoiseach, four Deputies and now the Cathaoirleach. I hope that is some consolation for the indifferent fortunes it has experienced on the football field. Now that are five Members from County Kerry in the House, we almost have a football team ourselves.

I sincerely congratulate my old friend, Senator Cummins, on his appointment as Leader - we soldiered together for many years on county council committees - and Senator Bacik on becoming deputy leader. I cannot leave out Senator Coghlan who will be the new Government Chief Whip. He is a fair-minded man who will work well with our Whip, Senator Wilson. I also congratulate the new Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, who will give a good account of himself.

I welcome every Senator, new and old, nominated or elected. I regard it as a great privilege to be a Member of the House. I was a county councillor for 22 years and, therefore, I had served my time well before I was elected to the House in 2007. Each Member will be proud of his or her achievement in being either nominated or elected to the House. Like others, I particularly welcome the Taoiseach's nominees. His choice was inspired and I look forward to interesting and diverse debate during this term.

Senator Healy Eames said this Seanad may be the best and the last. It could well be the best and if it is, it will definitely not be the last. It is up to Members to prove the Seanad's worth. It is as important an institution of State as the Presidency or the Dáil and it is up to us to prove this. I would like the Taoiseach who is doing a great job so far to come regularly to the Seanad to participate in debates and see the contribution we can make. He may revise his thinking on how to approach the future of the Seanad.

I endorse the words of praise bestowed upon my colleague, Senator Norris, for the wonderful speech he made in which he outlined his vision for the Seanad. It was remarkable. I wish him well in his quest to become President. It is right and proper that he should receive a nomination to run for the Presidency. It will be anti-democratic if he does not. I praise my own party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, who has had the vision to allow free votes for party members in councils throughout the country from which Senator Norris is seeking a nomination. I ask other party leaders to follow suit. That would be democracy in practice.

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus comhghairdeas arís.