Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Walsh's principled position is unflinching. He sticks to it because he believes in it and that is what politics is about. It is about getting elected and sticking to one's principles. If a lot of other politicians stuck to their principles, this country would be a far better place.

My generation is the one that respected the likes of Senators Quinn and Norris. I was a second year politics student in UCD being lectured on Tuesday and Thursday mornings by the Seanad's former Leader, Maurice Manning, when Senator Quinn was elected. Sadly, I did not have a vote then because I was an undergraduate. We spent our political careers admiring people such as Senators Norris and Quinn and, indeed, Senator Barrett, who was a lecturer at the time and who has proven a very outspoken person in terms of the area of economics and the rights and wrongs relating to it. It has been a great pleasure serving with people of such distinction.

I wish all those Senators who are seeking election to the Lower House the very best, particularly the leader of the Opposition, a thorough gentleman, Senator Darragh O'Brien. He was very disappointed when he lost his Dáil seat on the previous occasion. I think he is going to be back in the Lower House, which will be a loss to the next Seanad. I tried it myself but, unfortunately, I did not get to the starting line on that occasion. I will hopefully be in a position to seek re-election to this House and what happens, happens. The past five years have been phenomenal in terms of the learning curve I have been on and it has been a huge honour to serve here. It is amazing how, over time, one develops a very deep, personal bond - as well as a political one - with all of the other 59 Members of this House.I suppose the politics is what creates the personal bond. Every person in this House is here because he or she wants to serve and better Ireland. They want to see a better society at the end of the day. All of us have considerable regard for each other. I have served in council chambers where there was rancour and so on and sometimes it lasted, but I can say that the professionalism with which people have done their business here has been inspirational. It has been a pleasure to work with such a group of distinguished parliamentarians. Let us hope we see other days in future.