Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le Ceannaire an Tí. Bhí mé an-sásta cloisteáil go raibh an Seanadóir Trevor Ó Clochartaigh ag labhairt ar ball ó thaobh Gaeilge a úsáid mar is í an Ghaeilge an chéad teanga atá agamsa.

I had to learn English which means that English is my second language. People sometimes say to me that they know by the way I speak English that I grew up speaking Irish. I do not know if that is a compliment or otherwise.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an deis labhairt ar feadh nóiméad nó dhó.

In this House I feel like a square pin in a round hole or whatever because I come from a different space. I am still working my way around but I have learned two things. First, there is a tremendous passion in this room and for that I feel very privileged to be part of this group. Senators really mean what they are talking about and are totally passionate, which will make a difference.

Second, as Senators, we come from so many different backgrounds. I do not want to pick out one person but it is really important that we have somebody here to represent our diaspora and that person is Senator Billy Lawless. I hope some media is listening to me. Senator Lawless has employed not only my daughter but hundreds of sons and daughters of people from all over Ireland.