Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

A Leas-Chathaoirligh, I wish to be associated with the expressions of goodwill and thanks to you, the Clerk and his staff, the Members of the House and particularly the Leader and his staff for making the House function so well in the last year.

I also wish to be associated with the tribute paid by Senator Bacik to the late Cormac Ó Braonáin. As somebody who married into that extended family, I cannot comprehend the loss his death will be for his parents. I hope they get some consolation from the kind words and words of admiration that have been expressed about him. It is a real loss. It should be noted that his great-grandfather was one of the early Senators and was elected on three occasions to the Seanad in the 1930s and 1940s. Cormac Ó Braonáin's death is a loss and his idealism is a model for young Irish people.

On a different note, I wish to criticise the Government very heavily. In the season of goodwill and so forth I must thank the Leader for lifting the heavy burden of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 from my shoulders and those of a few other Members. I am deeply grateful to him for that, but I wish to make a serious charge against the Government.