David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support the comments of Senator Gavan in respect of President Trump's vicious tweet. The most sinister thing was that his spokesperson said it does not matter whether the videos are genuine or not.

I am very embarrassed but also flattered and pleased by the statements and comments of my very many generous friends in Seanad Éireann. Friendship and fun are the two things I have gotten of most from the Seanad. I do not have a single enemy in the House. There are items on which Senators disagree but it would be extremely dull if we did not. However, any disagreement is discussed without any sense of partisanship.

None of this recognition would have been made if it were not for Ger Siggins as I did not know I was the longest-serving Senator but Mr. Siggins tweeted about it. It has been a great honour for me to have served with people such as Mary Robinson, Gordon Wilson, Joe O'Toole and many others, including all the current Members of the House. I served with Tras Honan, Sean Fallon as Cathaoirleach, Seán Doherty, Liam Cosgrave, Liam Naughten, who was tragically killed in a car crash, Senator Paddy Burke, who was here earlier and was a wonderful Cathaoirleach, Pat Moylan, Rory Kiely and the current Cathaoirleach, who has been one of the best Cathaoirligh because, although he comes from a Fianna Fáil background, he has shown complete political indifference and has treated everybody extremely fairly. There have been many fine Leaders of the House, including the current holder of that office, Senator Buttimer, who has done a very distinguished job. There have been other Leaders, such as Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who I was very sorry to see have to leave ministerial office this week, and Maurice Manning, who is another very fine person.

I was glad to be in a position to help in a fairly significant way to save the Seanad. It would have been dreadful if the House had been lost. On Tuesday last the Domestic Violence Bill, which is very important legislation, went through Committee Stage in the House and Senators had a tremendous impact on it. It is now radically different and has been immensely strengthened as a result of its passage through the House. Each of the Senators representing Trinity College had amendments to the Bill accepted, which is remarkable.

I thank all Members very much. I am flattered and humbled. I had to wipe away a tear but it was a tear of laughter at the wonderfully funny things some Senators said about me. I am very honoured to have represented the graduates of Trinity College for so many years and I hope to go on doing so. I said to my very fine colleague, Senator Bacik, that I am going to reprint her glowing tribute on my next ballot paper. That might be a little unfair so I will not do it.