Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members of the House who are not running on the labour panel for supporting my re-election and promising to get votes for me. I really thank them for that.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kindness and for the even-handed way in which he dealt with me. As I travel around the country, I assure him I will seek his re-election because he is a decent guy. That is really important. I thank Ms Deirdre Lane and Mr. Martin Groves, who got a fairly rough time during my by-election success, for the courteous way in which they took my rather irate phone calls. I very much appreciate their even-handedness and the welcome I received when I came in.

I thank Fine Gael for bringing me in here. When I ran for election, my son asked me if I was mad running for an election I could not possibly win. He asked me what sort of a clown I was. On the day I got elected, just before we walked through that door, he said, "Dad, when your posterior hits that seat in there, remember you will be one of the very few citizens of this country who ever gets to sit in one of those chairs." For a guy who started off as a private soldier in the Army, I cannot begin to tell the House the honour it has been to be here and to have worked with Members. I am glad I introduced the party Whips to the notion of working with Independents.I know that bringing them to the table was like pulling teeth but I brought them there and I am delighted to see they have learned.

To my colleague, Senator Quinn, I say it is a terrible pity that he is going. I hope he will return to run seminars on how to deal with the electorate so that the Members will remember to take the latter into account as they go forward.

With the forthcoming election, we are truly heading into uncertain waters. What way it will all work out, I do not know. I ask that when they publish their manifestoes, the various parties should indicate the red line issues on which they will not negotiate in the context of a programme for Government. The people have a right to know what and whom they are electing and why they are electing them. I have started a "#getoutandvote" drive on Twitter. I do not care who people vote for so long as they vote. I have no time for people who complain about a Government and then do not participate in the political system.

I wish those who are retiring and those who are contesting the election well. As for those on the Labour Panel, I hope they come second to me. The best of luck to everybody.