Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom i dtús báire comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis na Seanadóirí úr tofa atá anseo inniu. Tá a fhios agam gur lá mór atá ann dóibh agus dá dteaghlaigh agus daoine muinteartha. Ba mhaith liom fosta comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le mo chomhghleacaithe go léir atá atofa anseo arís agus a bhfuil anseo chun seirbhís a dhéanamh ar son an Stáit sa thréimhse amach romhainn. Is dócha gurb é an rud is mó a theastaíonn uaim a rá ná comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh leat féin, a Chathaoirligh, tar éis duit bheith tofa anseo mar an 23ú Cathaoirleach ar Sheanad Éireann.Tá gliondar chroí orm go bhfuil tú tofa. Tá dílseacht bainte amach agat don Stát thar thréimhse fhada - níos mó ná scór go leith bliain. D'obair tú go crua anseo le cúig bliana anuas agus fiú roimhe sin nuair a chuaigh tú i ngleic go trom leis an dúshlán a bhaineann leis an tseirbhís phoiblí. Tá obair mhaith déanta agat thar ceann do lucht toghchánaíochta thar thréimhse fhada. Tá mé lán-cinnte go gcuirfidh tú seirbhís iontach isteach sa ról úr atá agat anois. Guím gach uile rath ort féin go pearsanta agus fosta ar do chlann agus ar do bhean, Eileen.

I congratulate everyone who was re-elected and also new Members who are here for the first time. It is a momentous occasion to be elected or appointed to one's own Parliament. I congratulate each and every colleague and particularly their families, especially those of the new Members.

The tone of the discussion has been very reflective, and rightly so. We have elected one of our own to lead the House as Cathaoirleach. If I am not mistaken, he is the 23rd Cathaoirleach of the Seanad since the foundation of the State. The 20th Cathaoirleach, Mr. Rory Kiely, is among us today in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Senator Denis O’Donovan will do the State incredible service as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann over the coming period. His is a distinguished office. He has been a colleague of mine since I was first appointed to the Seanad in 2007. He has been diligent, effective, selfless and energetic, and he has always put the needs of others before his own. I am delighted to see him elected today. I wish him well.

It is a great day for west Cork and the Sheep's Head Peninsula. I had the distinguished honour of visiting Sheep's Head a short few years ago at the Senator’s request. I noted there the esteem in which he is held by his own people. He has done his own people in west Cork a great honour in being elected here today. I wish him well and also the people of west Cork and his family, including his partner Eileen and his boys.

A friend of many of the Senators is in the Gallery today, namely, Senator Francis O'Brien, who served here for many years. He will be very happy, along with Mr. Rory Kiely. It is great to see former Members with many years of experience. Perhaps they could give us some of that experience over the next while.

I wish the Cathaoirleach well. I congratulate the new Leader of Seanad Éireann, Senator Jerry Buttimer. I also congratulate and wish well the leader of the Fianna Fáil group, an Seanadóir Catherine Ardagh, who spoke so eloquently today.

Guím fad saoil agus gach rath ar an gCathaoirleach. He should remember he is only one of 23. Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Guím fad saol agat agus gach rath ort.