Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

You, obviously, have no intention of retiring and on that basis, long may you continue. I say to you and the Leader that the support this House has received from both of you, as well as from Ms Deirdre Lane and all of her team, has been greatly appreciated because a great deal has been achieved. I was first elected to the Seanad way back in 1993. I remember coming through the gates and assuming I would have to introduce myself, but I was delighted to be made welcome by the ushers at the door and everybody else. It seems that the team of people working in Leinster House make a huge effort, for which I thank them. On my first day the late Senator Mr. Tom Fitzgerald from County Kerry, whom I had not met previously, met me and offered to show me around. I got a great inkling of where everything was, what to do and what the traditions were. Approximately one week later the then Taoiseach appointed the late Mr. Gordon Wilson as one of his nominees to the Seanad. I had met Gordon a few weeks earlier and had the great pleasure of showing him around Leinster House. Even though I had never been around it myself, except with Mr. Fitzgerald, it was a great way to give the impression that I knew my way around. It is an example of how each of us was made welcome by so many others, including by Senators on the other side of the Chamber. I do not think the willingness and enthusiasm of Senators I have come across in the past 23 years are recognised enough.

I have been involved in a number of careers but in this one every single day from the first time I came into this House I have been fortunate enough to get a sense of achievement and satisfaction. There is a seanfhocal I remember well: éist le fuaim na habhann, agus gheobhaidh tú bradán - listen to the sound of the river and you will catch a salmon.It is listening that has given us a great opportunity to be able to participate in so many different things. That is one of the reasons I sometimes feel guilty when people criticise the television view of the Seanad or the Dáil and see empty seats. They do not realise how much work is going on and how much work can go on not necessarily in the Chamber.

Years ago, I remember being asked to explain the word “management” in five words or fewer. We spoke about it a lot and came up with, “Management is getting results through other people”. That is what I have learned here in this House. It is about the ability of the Government, this and the other House to get results through other people. I found listening and getting results on that basis has been a huge success. It could not have taken place, however, without the enthusiasm, commitment and the dedication of so many people, both who work here and who have been elected to this House.

Last night, I checked the number of Bills I have had the pleasure of introducing in the House. I have introduced 17 Bills, some of which have become law and others which have become law in different cases. I would love to think it would be possible that somebody in the new Seanad will grab hold of those remaining Bills which have been prepared and will be able to continue with them.

The real challenge is to ensure this House is respected and regarded well. It could not happen without the enthusiasm we get from right around this House. I mention Senator David Norris, the father of the House, as our leader. There are also the other Senators on this side, Senators John Crown, Sean D. Barrett and Rónán Mullen, who cannot be here today. If we are going to succeed, we have to continue with the commitment, the dedication and the enthusiasm which I have seen here over the years.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing us this time to be able to say a few words. I offer everyone going for election every success, even the retiring but not very retiring Senator Craughwell. He is certainly not very retiring, in spite of that today. I wish him well. It would be a shame not to have his voice, along with all the other voices, we hear. Congratulations and I wish everyone going for election, whether for the Dáil or the Seanad, well and I hope we see them back here. I certainly intend to maintain my interest in what is going on here in the years ahead.