Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Ó Clochartaigh's family to the Gallery. I have always found Senator Ó Clochartaigh to be a great colleague and friend. The first time I met him was at the famous count for the agricultural panel of Seanad Éireann. Senators Conway-Walsh, Ó Clochartaigh and myself filled the first three vacancies on the inside panel, which was unique in itself. Senator Ó Clochartaigh was then elected as a Sinn Féin Senator. In my case, I was coming into a situation about which I clearly did not have a clue. I had a fair idea but did not know how the whole thing worked and I certainly did not expect the vote that I ultimately got. One of the people who was there from very early on, sitting next to me, was Trevor and he explained the very complicated process to me. I learned a hell of a lot with him. I observed him over those few days and in the following weeks and he was always extremely helpful and supportive. There are not too many people in here that will show one the ropes but Trevor was one of them. Any time one asked him a question, he never made one feel stupid and he always explained how the system worked. I know from speaking to him and reading a bit about him that Trevor was involved in the Labour Party in Galway in the past. He has an amazing track record and many independent councillors from Galway speak of his absolute commitment to the disadvantaged, to equality and to justice. He is an advocate and I do not think he will ever stop being one. In fact, I know he will not stop because that is his style and his personality. Indeed, that goes for a lot of Members of this House. I wish him well and thank him for his friendship and his support for Members from all parties and none. That was clearly noticed and was very valuable. I wish him well in his new job and would ask him to take one thought with him. In terms of the work we do in this House, it is so important that the media gives us coverage, whether as Gaeilge or in English. I hope that he will use his experiences in here to get the message out about the importance of a fair and balanced account of what we do in the Houses of the Oireachtas. I wish him well personally. Whatever he does, he will do it well and to the best of his ability. He deserves his time out of here and as Senator Conway-Walsh said, there is another life. I am always amazed by politicians who say that there is another life outside politics but many of them do not seem to want to take that leap and get out. We might all consider that. I am relatively new here and do not intend leaving for a while. I wish Trevor well; he deserves every success in the future.