Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Senators, I formally welcome the newly-elected Senator, Gerard Craughwell, to the Seanad. It is a momentous day for him and a proud day for his family, the members of which are present for him. Like all colleagues across the House, I look forward to working with him and to his adding to the experience and knowledge of the House. He will mostly find it collegial. From time to time, we have disagreements, but that is what it is about. The by-election is over, Senator Craughwell rightly won it and I congratulate him in that regard. From my perspective and that of my colleagues, we look forward to working with him. We in the House work together. Our focus is on the good of the people, the members of the public who elected us, on doing our job, on continuing to make the Seanad relevant and on moving towards further reform. Senator Craughwell's election may spurn the Government into bringing about the reforms for which the people voted in the Seanad referendum but that is for another day.

I do not intend to delay the House further on any other business, as the Budget Statement will begin in the Lower House at 2.30 p.m. Since we will have our own budget statements at 4 p.m., many Senators will want to see the Budget Statement and consider its provisions. As such, I will agree to the Order of Business and again congratulate our new colleague on his election to Seanad Éireann.