Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate you, a Chathaoirleach, on your election today. I am very confident that you will be impartial and fair, and that you will stand up for this House and for its voice to be heard within the Oireachtas and more widely.

I thank Mr. Martin Groves and all of his staff, not just for assisting us as new Senators but also for the conduct of the Seanad election in difficult times. It was an unusual experience for those of us who have been involved in elections to observe this election on a screen rather than to be present at the count. I thank Mr. Groves and his staff for their work over recent days in difficult circumstances.

Like others, I thank those who have helped me. I have been through a couple of elections-----