Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There I was thinking we would have a very brief Order of Business this morning, but it is only right and fitting that we reminisce and reflect on the five year period of this Seanad. Looking back, there have been five referenda and a presidential election, while quite a volume of legislation has passed through the House. The five important referenda included the children's rights referendum, as well as the marriage equality referendum. We also had a referendum on whether the second House of the Oireachtas should continue. In their wisdom, the people decided to retain it. Naturally, I think they made a very good decision. There were two other referenda on judges' pay and Oireachtas inquiries, an issue which may be revisited.

I take the opportunity to pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach. They are important people in keeping the House running in a seaman-like manner. I mention running the House in a seaman-like manner as I see a gentleman in the Visitors Gallery, Mr. Enda O'Coineen, who travelled around the world on his own. The Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach did a wonderful job in steering the ship through what at times were stormy waters, for which I pay tribute to them.

I also pay tribute to Deirdre and all of the staff in the Seanad office, as well as all other staff in the Oireachtas, including the ushers and stenographers. I pay tribute to my own staff, Orla, Frankie and Jason, who also stepped in.

We have worked here as a team during the five years and our strong point has always been the scrutiny of legislation. This is something the House does very well and I hope it will continue to do so. This something that has been commented on by Ministers from all sides, past and present. We have not guillotined debates on too much legislation in this House in the past five years, which is the way it should be. It is only in circumstances where emergency legislation is being dealt with where debates should be guillotined. I recollect on one occasion a certain Minister insisting on the debate on legislation being guillotined and suggesting that the Taoiseach would be rung to make me guillotine the debate. I told the said person that if he rang the Pope, it would not be guillotined and it was not. Its role in the scrutiny of legislation has been the most important aspect of this House.

I pay tribute to colleagues who are retiring. I did so yesterday in the case of Senator Feargal Quinn. That he has introduced almost 17 Bills in the period he has been in the House bears testimony to the amount of work he has done and the esteem in which he is held by all colleagues on all sides. Likewise, Senator Jim Walsh has also been in the Seanad for quite some time and I wish him well in his retirement. We have had many differences, but we have agreed on several occasions, too, on which I compliment. As Senator Paschal Mooney said, he came here as a Fianna Fáil Senator and it is only fitting that he leave as a Fianna Fáil Senator.

Other colleagues who have announced they are retiring include Senator Fiach Mac Conghail who has been a wonderful advocate for the arts. I agree with him that the issue of arts funding will have to be examined by the new Government.

Senator John Crown has also been a wonderful Member of the House. He was insightful and on many occasions his knowledge was very important when considering Bills dealing with health matters. We will certainly miss his expertise.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien has indicated today that she will not be standing again. She contributed to debates on many Bills. She certainly displayed her expertise last week when dealing with the horse racing Bill. Her in-depth knowledge of the industry surprised many.

I wish all Members who are retiring and all those who will contesting elections, be it the general election or the Seanad election, every success. It has been an honour to be Leader of the House for the past five years, but I could not have done it without the help and co-operation of each and every Member. I thank all Members for their assistance.