Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

They are not quite unbeatable but there are almost unbeatable. I had not realised until today that between Golden and Rathcabbin we have a Tipperary team in the House. We are losing half of it today but I hope we are not losing it permanently. I imagine Jody will keep in touch with us after all those years.

I have been here for 21 years and she was one of the first people I picked up the telephone to when I came to ask for advice. Between herself and Deirdre we have had great advice and we have heard about it today. However, it is not only that; it is the sense that she talks and the style that she has shown, and not only the style referred to by Senator Bacik. Anyway, she adds colour to the Chamber.

The other thing I have found about Jody is that she was always able to steer us through the difficult times. Whenever we had challenges, whatever they were, we could go to her for advice. She gave us advice and she did so with sympathy because she recognised the challenges we had as well.

I am using this opportunity to thank Jody. I know her health has not been wonderful in the past year but she seems to be back, healthy and well, vibrant and full of energy. I do not believe she will retire in the sense that some people use the term. She has too much vigour, energy and enthusiasm to actually retire. Whatever her plans are I hope she enjoys them, that she will keep the happy memories that she left here with and that she will have them when she looks back on her days here. I thank her for those 23 years.