Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I add my voice to those who have referred to the retirement of Senator Harte, his contribution to his community and to Seanad Éireann. I met him on the first day I joined the Seanad. He was a fine gentleman and gave me some sound advice. There were many times during the first year or two of my time here when he put me to shame, particularly at lunch time when I saw him strip off in the fitness centre and go out training for his marathon running. All the goings on here in the Seanad pale in comparison to what he and his family have endured since that tragic fall. It makes us realise that our health is our wealth. I wish Senator Harte and his family the very best of luck as he continues to recover from that tragedy.

With regard to Senator Leyden’s comments on the loss of the Web Summit, a general election is certainly in the air because it is not the Government’s fault that we have lost the Web Summit. It is not Tourism Ireland’s fault, or Ireland’s fault. This is all about business and the almighty dollar.