Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirleach agus ar mo shon féin agus ar son mo páirtí Fine Gael, ba mhaith liom mo buíochas agus mo tacaíocht a thabhairt don Seanadóir Ó'Clochartaigh. Is ea lá corraitheach ar son an Seanadóir Ó'Clochartaigh. Tá sé ag éirí as a shuíocháin mar Seanadóir, níl sé marbh, tá sé beo fós agus beidh sé beo le blianta fada ó shin. Fear macánta, uasal agus an-cairdiúil atá ann. Fear an-gnóthach ar son an teanga agus an cultúr, a man who brought great passion and dedication to the promotion of the Irish language and our culture agus beidh stráitéis Gaeilge an seachtain seo chugainn ar son seachtain na Gaeilge.I welcome Mali and the family members and friends from Galway who are in the Visitors' Gallery. Usually when anyone retires from the Chamber it is at election time. It is unusual that two Members have retired in quick succession.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh leaves as a man of integrity, whose passion, dedication and commitment to public service is upheld. He has fought admirably on many different issues, involving human rights and the most vulnerable in our society, and above all for people, north, south, east and west. In this House he was a person of conviction, who could argue and have a difference of opinion but who could park that beyond the white lines of the Chamber to work with, and advocate on behalf of, people. That is the sign of a man of decency and honour, one full of humanity. I wish him well in his new post. I am sorry I missed last night's celebrations. I heard from Members that it was a convivial evening-----