Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Cathaoirleach's dancing shoes will never be gone. I thank the 18 Senators and the Cathaoirleach for their contributions. On behalf of Fine Gael, I join those who sympathised with the McBride family on the sad passing today of Tom McBride, better known as Big Tom. As Senator Wilson said, he was predeceased by his wife, Rose, who was his friend, companion, confidante, helper and adviser. On behalf of all Senators, I extend our deepest sympathies to Thomas, Dermot, Aisling and Siobhán. All of us who are of a certain age will always have an affinity and love for "Four Roads to Glenamaddy" and "Gentle Mother". Given the contributions of so many here today, from some who knew him well and some who did not, I believe "humility", "gentle", "humble" and "shy but passionate about his music" are words and phrases that described the late Tom McBride.

All of us who heard the news this morning got a jolt and were shocked and saddened.The tributes paid to Big Tom on "The Ryan Tubridy Show" and "Today with Seán O'Rourke" this morning by those who work in the music industry and people who knew him, including a former Leader of the House, Donie Cassidy, left a very strong impression of a man who became famous by accident but who loved his music. His best legacy is the fact that country music in Ireland is still strong and that he is synonymous with it. He brought Ireland to the dance halls of the United Kingdom and to the emigrants who had to leave our shores,. My father spent time in the UK and I know from him that Big Tom was always spoken about. When we chatted this morning, he spoke about his time in Cricklewood and going to dances on Saturday and Sunday nights. The Cathaoirleach mentioned his dancing shoes. Big Tom was a gentle giant and is a true loss to the nation. Ar dheis láimh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I join Senators Bacik, Conway-Walsh, Boyhan and the Cathaoirleach in paying tribute to the students who participated this morning in Díospóireacht na nÓg as part of Vótáil 100. Recently, we had a debate on the voting age and young people. Today, the students who were part of the wonderful showcase to which I refer left us with a huge positive feeling about their intellect, debating ability and presentation, and also their sincerity and the convictions they hold. It was a wonderful exercise to have the debate in the Seanad Chamber as part of Vótáil 100. I commend all of the students who participated and I thank their parents and schools for being part of today's event. I thank the members of Vótáil 100. Senator McFadden was probably the architect of the idea but bringing it to its conclusion today took the combined effort of the committee. I thank all of the members of the Vótáil 100 committee for their work on this matter and I congratulate them on bringing Díospóireacht na nOg to our House of the Oireachtas. It showcased all that is good about young people. We can have another debate on the merits and demerits of the voting age but today was a good day for this House and for the Oireachtas. I congratulate everybody involved.

Senators Mark Daly and Feighan referred to the Good Friday Agreement and commended all who were part of the celebration last week in Belfast. Senator Mark Daly rightly referred to Border. The issue of Border crossings will have to be addressed in future negotiations on Brexit. The Senator referenced the Norway-Sweden model and the number of crossings there. I completely share his view that we need to find a solution that does not bring back a hard border. This has been the Government's view. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, will be here to debate the Good Friday Agreement and the North. Senator Richmond has resumed work on the Brexit committee. In the coming weeks, it is the intention to have a debate on Brexit in the House, in tandem with the Brexit committee, and I will be happy to have this as part of the work schedule. It is important that we all wear the green jersey and put this issue to the fore of what we do as a State. The Tánaiste, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and the Taoiseach have been very strong on this.

I join Senator Mark Daly in wholeheartedly commending the awarding of the Pulitzer prize to the newspaper editor in Iowa. The Senator mentioned that the latter, Art Cullen, has family links to Kilkenny. I commend Mr. Cullen not least because of his ability to stand up and be counted. I also commend him on the way in which he has achieved the award in terms of his writing, his flair and the temerity he has shown not just in terms of writing about but also, perhaps, challenging the President of the United States. I certainly join the Senator in congratulating him. He is editor of The Storm Lake Timesin Storm Lake, Iowa. It is always important that we commend, support and salute the type of tenacious writing and reporting and the impressive independence that allows journalists to challenge and question those of us in the political class and that allows people to be curious. This is something we should always support. I join Senator Mark Daly in supporting it today.

Senators Craughwell and Wilson referred to the Defence Forces. I commend the men and women of our Defence Forces on the work they do.All of us are proud of the work they do, whether in the Mediterranean or on UN missions. Senator McFadden has always been a strong exponent of the Defence Forces. To be fair, the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, has been in the House on a number of occasions regarding the Defence Forces. I hope that we would not politicise the Defence Forces. Listening to Senator Craughwell, one would never know that the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, has commenced a review of the 1994 to 2006 Acts in terms of conciliation and pay or that for the past two years a greater number of people have joined the Defence Forces than have left them.