Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am proud to speak on behalf of the Labour Party group of Senators, my colleagues Senators Sherlock, Hoey, Moynihan and Wall, and to express our congratulations to you, Senator Daly, on your election as Cathaoirleach. I have served with you in a number of Seanad terms and while we have not always agreed on issues I know very well your tenacious persistence in campaigns that are close to your heart and your hard work in particular on behalf of the Irish deaf community and Irish Sign Language. I pay tribute to you for that. I think the Seanad will be a very interesting place with you as Cathaoirleach. I mean that in the best possible way.

I pay tribute to my good friend and colleague, Senator Norris. He took the Chair as the senior Member of the House. I was delighted to be re-elected on the Dublin University panel along with him and with Senator Lynn Ruane. I also join with other speakers in paying tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Denis O’Donovan. It was a pleasure to have been in the Seanad with him as Cathaoirleach in the previous term.

I know we will have an opportunity on the Order of Business to speak further but I wish to welcome our incoming Leader, Senator Doherty. Others have spoken about the strong leadership shown by the outgoing Government in the face of the terrible Covid pandemic. For my part, speaking on behalf of the Labour Party group of Senators, we offer constructive opposition. I think it is fair to say that Senator Doherty and some of her colleagues in government, having had a tough time in the general election, really served the country very well and showed strong leadership in bringing us to the point we are at now. We are not through the terrible pandemic yet but we have had a stronger and better response than many other countries which faced similar challenges. I know there are enormously challenging times ahead and we will continue to offer constructive opposition on the Labour Party bench and to continue to stand for the principles of equality, workers' rights and the rights of all who are disadvantaged in society. I will leave it at that for now.

I again congratulate Senator Mark Daly on his election as Cathaoirleach. I also thank him for his kind words about my grandfather. I think I speak for all of us in this strange Chamber when I say that we all very much look forward to being back in Leinster House in the proper Seanad Chamber.