Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to first thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence in terms of my position as Leas-Cathaoirleach over the past four years and eight months, to be precise. I thank those who paid compliments to me, although I am not sure whether I deserved them. I thank the staff here, Deirdre and Martin, the Captain of the Guard and the Superintendent.

It is a special day for Senator Jim Walsh whom I wish every happiness in retirement. It is a long time ago since I canvassed with him in New Ross, although not on the same panel.

I refer to the inimitable Senator Feargal Quinn, who says his piece quietly. He reminds me of the village schoolmaster, "that one small head could carry all he knew", but when he spoke he spoke eloquently and to the point. He will be a loss to this House but I am sure there are others outside it to replace him.

The one thing I have learned about politics, and I am around a long time, is that there is no security of tenure for any of us. My sister sent me a text this morning as soon as she heard that the Dáil was dissolved stating that it is 29 years since I first decided to run for the Dáil. In that regard I feel a weight off my shoulders; I am relieved. I say to those who are thinking of running on the Agricultural Panel that I will be on that panel and will be a thorn in their sides. However, it is surreal for me not to be running in the Dáil election for the first time in what is almost all of my adult life. To see people today who are retiring from this House, and the other House, is surreal also.

The most phenomenal achievement over the past five years of this Seanad occurred when the future of this elegant and noble Chamber, the Upper House, was put to the test. It was a mistake by the Taoiseach to go down that road but a message was sent to this House by the people not alone in terms of saving the Seanad but about reform. There has not been enough done in that regard. That is an issue the next Seanad, and the Government, might re-examine because it is important that we would do that.

It is also important to compliment the Leader of the House with whom I have had a great working relationship.He has done a great job. I also compliment the Government Whip, Senator Paul Coghlan, and Senator Aideen Hayden, as well as our own leader, Senator Darragh O'Brien, who is on the trail. I wish everyone success, whether in running for the Dáil or the Seanad or not running at all. Politics is difficult. There are Members here today who think we will be back in three months time, but we may not be. It could be me who may not be back. It is an uncertain lifestyle. I often wonder if I made the right decision when I came to the fork in the road and had a choice of continuing in the legal profession or pursuing a career in politics. However, I am now on the road and there is no turning back, but I have had a good innings.

I thank everyone from all sides of the House, including Independent Senators, for the camaraderie I have experienced here. By and large, party politics are left aside when we are in the House. That is very important. The Seanad is different from the other House. If there are issues to be dealt with, we try to deal with them and leave the veil of political parties outside the Chamber. I understand the Cathaoirleach's indulgence. This is like mass on Holy Saturday, probably one of the longest masses of the year. This Order of Business has been extremely long, but it is probably the last in this Seanad.

Members have referred to Senator Diarmuid Wilson. We are supposed to have a Whip on this side of the House, but, unfortunately, he does not have a whip. He has a fur or sheep-skinned whip because he does not lash too hard with it. This should be recognised, but he deals effectively with business and that is what is important.

I wish all of my colleagues luck, whether they are running for the Dáil or the Seanad. There are a few tough months ahead of us and there will be winners and losers. There will be the vanquished and the victors. Sometimes, in politics this is a hard pill to swallow and I have swallowed it many a time. I hope on the road ahead it will be a little sweeter.