Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand that on 21 October last, the Clerk of Seanad, Deirdre Lane, retired. Will the Seanad be afforded an opportunity to pay tribute to Ms Lane who has over 40 years of dedicated and committed service to the Oireachtas since first joining the Oireachtas staff in 1976? She was appointed Assistant Clerk of the Seanad in 1987 and appointed Clerk of the Seanad in 1990. It is important for this House to be afforded an opportunity to pay tribute to her for her dedicated commitment and service to the Oireachtas and this House in particular. In his closing remarks as Cathaoirleach of this House, Senator Paddy Burke indicated that one of the biggest difficulties he witnessed as Cathaoirleach of the House was the chronic under-staffing of this House. He pointed out that a staff of five people administer this House. From time to time, Senators may feel hard done by but it is time we started to stand up for ourselves and the administration of this House and ensure that this House is adequately furnished with administrative staff. While not wanting to interfere with the appointment process for a new Clerk, I ask the Leader to expedite that appointment as a matter of urgency. The staff of this House are now double jobbing and treble jobbing in some instances because they do not have enough personnel. I ask the Leader to make it a priority to ensure that a new Clerk is appointed and that adequate staff are provided to run this House. I ask the Cathaoirleach, in conjunction with the Leader, if we could be afforded an opportunity to pay tribute to Deirdre Lane.