Seanad debates

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

2:30 pm

Photo of Sean BarrettSean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo what Senator Bacik said about Professor Philip Lane and the tributes paid to him by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, as he assumes the office of Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland. It is a quarter of a century ago that he came to my scholarship class before going on to Harvard and Columbia. I am sure he will bring many talents to his new post.

In the presence of Senator Eamon Coghlan, who knows much more about international athletics than I do, I express my regret that we are losing our national boxing manager, Mr. Billy Walsh.

I compliment Mr. Justin Trudeau, who was elected as Prime Minister of Canada this morning. The Canadian crest includes the fleur-de-lis, rose, thistle and shamrock, the latter in recognition of Ireland's role as one of the founding nations of Canada. We should be very proud of all that Irish people in Canada have accomplished, including such persons as Thomas D'Arcy McGee who drew up the constitution of the Canadian Confederation in 1867. Mr. Trudeau is returning to the house where he lived as a boy when his father was Prime Minister. I take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Canadian Government, which was always a great friend to Ireland.

I share Senator O'Brien's misgivings regarding No. 1 on the Order of Business today. The Secretary General of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport refused to appear at a meeting of the transport committee to discuss this matter on the basis that to do so would infringe Stock Exchange takeover rules. I have always regarded a democratic parliament as being far superior to such rules-----

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