Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before normal hostilities resume, our group would also like to acknowledge the true greatness of our friend and the great friend of the House, Jimmy Walsh. In my 11 years here, my experience, which would reflect that of us all, has been that he has been an innately decent man who has been a great friend to the Seanad, the only one it has had. From a journalistic perspective, that is a simple fact that is widely acknowledged. The House has been very lucky to have the expertise of Jimmy Walsh and the honesty and professionalism he has always shown in reporting.

On a personal level, Jimmy is the true definition of the honourable profession and traditions of journalism in reporting the facts as they should be reported, rather than as so often happens with so-called modern journalists who like to put a particular complexion on one side or the other of the facts. That is foreign to Jimmy and it is something younger or so-called more modern journalism could look to as an example and learn a little how well the business was done over the years. He will be missed and I invite the Leader to see if the Taoiseach would take the opportunity, with one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominee places vacant, to make Jimmy a Member of the House. God knows, he has the experience to make a very valuable contribution, having reported the House so well over the years.

As far as Fianna Fáil is concerned, Jimmy Walsh is all graces and no airs. We hope he enjoys his retirement but will be a regular visitor to the House.

Will I continue with the points I want to raise now?