Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have been elected to this House as a member of the labour panel because, as a proud member of the National Union of Journalists over two decades, I know the importance of our unions and their work in protecting workers' rights. This was bred into me from my very early childhood when I saw my uncle Peter head up the unions in this country in the 1980s and 1990s, negotiating wage deals and making sure that everyone got a fair crack and a proper living wage. This will be very important to me in our work in this Chamber.

As a member of the National Union of Journalists, NUJ, I was particularly delighted to see the media included in a full Government Department when the Cabinet was announced last Saturday. This is needed now more than ever. The industry needs great support because it is under attack from things like social media and fake news. During this pandemic and crisis, we saw the importance of reliable and trusted media sources. I am therefore delighted with this Department. It will be greatly beneficial for the people of our country.

To pick up on some of the comments made by Senators Craughwell and Boyhan about the role of this Chamber and their message that reform should start today, reform had been starting in the last term. Along with Senator McDowell, I was delighted to be part of a cross-party group comprising Members of both Houses which worked on a very important document on reform. I hope that we will see some of those recommendations implemented rather than buried by the Dáil as they were in the last term. I hope to see more than just lip service being paid to that document.

I also look forward to seeing the promises made in the programme for Government with regard to local government reform honoured, including those measures regarding directly elected mayors. Some damage was done to the local government network over the last ten years in the name of reform. I hope that the programme for Government will ensure that things such as the town centre initiatives and a "town centre first" policy will be properly funded and delivered upon. I will be holding the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to account in that regard. Many businesses are tentatively opening their doors today and they are looking at a changed reality and a new world on our main streets. We should focus on our economy, our people's jobs and livelihoods and making things easier through measures on rates or other business supports. Whether in my town of Navan, in Sligo, or in Killarney, businesses need our help.

I know the Cathaoirleach will be reforming and dynamic within the current Standing Orders. He will bring his style of leadership to the Chair. I am proud to have known him since he first ran in 2007. In that campaign he had a distinctive calling card which used the Tricolour, but not as some kind of logo, marketing ploy or gimmick. He understood and had pride in the Tricolour. He has done immense work over the last 13 years in working towards a united Ireland. I am extremely conscious of that. He has also done a great amount of work in private with members of the unionist community. Many have talked today about the need for someone from the North or from the unionist community. From the South, the very bottom, of Ireland the Cathaoirleach has done a massive amount of work in the North of Ireland. He has gone to Orange lodges and has met members of the community privately without letting anyone know. He has produced a document on working towards the united Ireland to which we all aspire. I look forward to working with him in the Chamber. All of us in Fianna Fáil are very proud of him.

Finally, as this is my maiden speech in this Chamber, I thank all who supported me in my election campaign. I thank my family, my wife and my children. I also acknowledge a very distinguished former Member of the Upper House, the former Senator, Donie Cassidy, who is sitting in the Gallery. He did a huge amount of work in helping me to get elected. I appreciate that. I thank the Cathaoirleach very much and congratulate him again.