David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think I have heard everything now. I heard on the wireless this morning that various firms of accountants are offering to cost the election proposals of various parties. What a laugh. These are the people who signed off on the cooked books of every corrupt bank in the country and now they are offering to cost the election proposals of the parties. God almighty preserve me.

This is one of the last days of the Seanad. We will be moving from this beautiful Chamber. I believe the Leader has found some place that will be appropriate in terms of dignity, space and so on. I hope the work that will be done here will be done efficiently and quickly so that we get back because this is where the Seanad belongs. It is a wonderful place to work.

I endorse all the compliments paid to the various members of the staff and officeholders. I will not recite the same rigmarole but my initials are on those compliments. Senator Maurice Cummins, as Leader of the House, has been one of the finest Leaders I can remember in this House. A small example of that was yesterday when my colleague, Senator Barrett, who was a member of the banking inquiry committee, asked that the time given to the debate on it be extended. Senator Cummins came up with a very good solution - he increased the amount of time for the first speakers on each side, which gave Senator Barrett an opportunity to put his views on the record. The Cathaoirleach has been a very dignified Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and has done credit to this House.

It has been an extraordinary Seanad, one that actually voted for its own extermination, which was quite an unusual political gambit. Several Members on the other side of the House campaigned to retain the Seanad and yet voted for its extinction, which was one of the most Swiftian absurdities that I can remember in a political career of about 40 years.

Finally, I turn to my colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn. It has been a real pleasure to work with him. The word "gentlemanly" has been used and I think it is really appropriate to use it in terms of Senator Quinn. He has been a most courteous, decent and gentlemanly Member of the House. It has been a pleasure to work with him. We did not always see eye to eye but that is the nature of political life.Moreover, he has done much service to the Seanad by introducing a considerable number of Bills here - more, I think, than anybody else - and that is a purpose for which this House was intended. Members pioneered it in the early days with a few items of legislation but Senator Quinn took up the baton and has made a really remarkable impact on Irish public life. I wish him every happiness with his wife and family in his retirement, which I hope will be very long.