Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 20 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhgairdeachas a gabháil le Bridget Doody as ucht post nua a glachadh. In congratulating her on her appointment, we are blessed and lucky as a House to have a person of her calibre. I have had the pleasure of working with her on a number of initiatives in the Oireachtas and I have always found her to be a professional, courteous, efficient and very kind person. I wish her well in her tenure with us. I hope this is the beginning of a new partnership and that the Seanad Office will be expanded. I wish her every success. It is a pity that Senator O'Sullivan outlined her Kerry heritage, which might be a red mark against her. I am glad she is wearing a red dress today to represent Cork. I wish her well nonetheless.

I thank the 15 Senators who directly or indirectly raised the awful vista of what is emerging about the Tuam mother and baby home. It is important to put this tragic story in context. These were young infants and newborns. These human beings were let down by the State, the church, society and their families as a result of the culture that prevailed at the time.