Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ba bhreá liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an gCathaoirleach agus lena mhuintir, dár ndóigh. Go mairfidh a phost nua. Tá sé tuillte go maith aige. Níorbh aon cháineadh é ar an Seanadóir Conway-Walsh gur éirigh leis an Seanadóir O'Donovan inniu. Táim cinnte go mbeidh sí go hiontach mar Sheanadóir. Is cinnte, ón vóta a bhfuair sé inniu, go raibh fhios ag gach duine anseo dáiríre nach amháin go bhfuil an saineolas aige - is cinnte ó bheith ag breathnú air go dtí seo an cur amach atá aige ar na rialacha agus an saineolas atá aige ó bheith páirteach i gcoistí éagsúla - ach freisin go bhfuil an cuirtéis aige mar dhuine, ó bhí sé sa chathaoir mar Leas-Chathaoirleach. Táimid fíor-bhródúil as agus guímid gach rath air. As I said, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach who very much deserves this appointment. His expertise, knowledge of the Standing Orders of the House and courtesy show that it is not his first time in the Chair. Everybody realises he is eminently fit for the position he now holds. I congratulate him and all of his family.

I also congratulate the new Leader of the House, Senator Jerry Buttimer, who was one of the best hecklers when he was previously in the House. I believe it was former Senator Phil Prendergast who dubbed him "Senator Butt-in-more" on one occasion, but that is in no way to take from his substance. He is a fine politician who will make an excellent contribution. We look forward to witnessing his hard work, but he has his work cut out for him. It is a while since a Leader did not enjoy a majority in the House.

"New politics" has become an awful cliché, but we all look forward to working with each other. It is, in many way, the Seanad of all the talents. D'fhéadfainn a rá gur Seanad ildánach atá ann agus go bhfuil daoine le gach sórt scile agus saineolais anseo, idir ghnó, leigheas agus go leor rudaí eile.

This promises to be a very interesting time in the Seanad. We have all longed to prove to the public what the Seanad can be. During the Seanad abolition referendum campaign many of us pointed out that the way forward was not to abolish the Seanad, as some present wanted to do, but to show how it could be effective as a review Chamber and in bringing forward amendments not unduly subject to party Whips and so on. We have a real chance to show the people what a vital role the Seanad could play in the formulation of policy and legislation, in particular. It is down to us to prove it.

I congratulate everyone present, including those who perhaps would rather be in the other House, but I am sure they already realise they have come to a more transcendental place where a higher form of existence awaits them. Let us all surprise each other with our openness to new ideas and initiatives. Let us look forward to making a real contribution to what will I hope be the continued recovery of the country.