Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I heartily agree with all the fine tributes to the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Cathaoirleach, the Leader of the House, the Opposition leader, Deirdre and her staff, and the staff in all the sections of the House including the Library & Research Service and the ushers. Everybody has been very kind to us.

I pay tribute to those Members who have announced their retirement including Senator Feargal Quinn, who trained a good man in John Foy, Senator John Crown, Senator Fiach MacConghail and Senator Jim Walsh. I can assure Senator Walsh that if I am fortunate enough to be back here and to have anything to do with that body, once the sensitivity of the timing is approved that issue will not go off the agenda.

My colleague, Senator Hayden, referred to the fact that we did not lose any legislation. Were we not fortunate? Technically, we were a minority but we never lost any aspect of legislation. The Government may have caught us once or twice in terms of inconsequential motions but that did not do any harm.