Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim comhghairdeas mór leis an gCathaoirleach. Is ónóir mhór í bheith mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad. I wish to congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh. I have known you for a long time. There were three votes in my house for one of your first elections: my dad, my brother and my mum. I think you probably got all of the votes at that time. It is a huge honour for you. Your commitment to Fianna Fáil and its councillors across the country is remarkable. It shows the work that you have put in over the years. You have earned this position today. I thank you very much and congratulate you.

Your legislation on Irish Sign Language is remarkable. You were dedicated to it from day one. It is one of the only pieces of legislation that got all the way through both Houses. It was a significant achievement for you. I also draw attention to your Thomas F. Meagher Foundation and your dedication to the Irish flag and explaining the true nature of it. Your commitment to Irish republicanism in its true form is commendable. Many people, including schoolchildren, look up to you.

I commiserate with and congratulate our former Cathaoirleach, Senator O'Donovan, who did a super job in the previous Seanad. I know you will also do a super job. It will be different and you will bring a new energy. I really look forward to working with you.

I congratulate the Leader of the House, Senator Doherty, on her role. I also congratulate my colleague, Senator Chambers, on her role as leader of the Fianna Fáil group in the Seanad. I wish everyone well. I am delighted to be here and I look forward to working with all my colleagues from across the House and getting to know everyone. There are many new faces. We have much work to do to support small businesses around the country and to support those who were left behind due to Covid. We did much to ensure the pandemic did not result in a massive loss of lives but much damage was done to people, especially those in nursing homes and those who were cocooning. Much legislation will be needed to ensure that we find solutions to the Covid disaster and that the economy gets back on track.