Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on being elevated to the position. I have no doubt he will make an excellent Cathaoirleach. He comes to the Chamber with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has been a Member of the other House and this House over a long number of years. He has chaired many committees and has been a member of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for a long number of years. He has a wealth of experience which I know he will bring to the position of Cathaoirleach. I have no doubt he will need all the experience he has, given the diversity in the House. If we had had Seanad reform before this I do not know whether it would have thrown up the many changes that have come to the House at this particular time.I wish the Cathaoirleach well and congratulate him again. It is a great day for him and his family.

I thank the staff of the House for their co-operation in the past few years, including the Clerk of the Seanad, Ms Deirdre Lane, who is not with us today and the Clerk Assistant, Mr. Martin Groves. The House has a very small staff. I believe there are only four or five and they do a tremendous job. The House sits long hours from 10.30 a.m. to on some occasions 10.30 p.m. or midnight and perhaps all night long, but we are still left with only four or five staff. They have given tremendous service to the country for many years and I take the opportunity to congratulate them.

I wish Senator Jerry Buttimer well as Leader of the House and leader of the Fine Gael group. I congratulate him on his elevation to his post, as I do Senator Catherine Ardagh as the leader of the main Opposition party. I commiserate with my county colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh. I wish her well and no doubt there will be another day.