Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. Ar an gcéad dul síos ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis mar Chathaoirleach nuathofa agus lena athair agus mháthair agus lena chlann. Cuirim fáilte roimh gach Seanadóir nua, go mór mór ar an lá iontach, stairiúil seo sa Seanad.

As the former Leader of the House who was elected on the same day as you in 2007, I congratulate you on your election to the office of the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann and to pledge you my full support in whatever capacity that may be. You bring a wealth of experience to the position and I wish you and your family every success. It is important that we remember today and thank the Iar-Chathaoirleach, Senator Denis O'Donovan, for his work, his stewardship, his courtesy and his impartiality.

I also wish to pay tribute to the man who contested the position with you in the Fianna Fáil Party, Senator Wilson, who is a long-standing Member of this House. He was the Fianna Fáil Whip in the previous Seanad. He is a person of integrity. I thank him for that and wish him well also.

In particular, I congratulate our new Leader, Senator Doherty, on her elevation to the position and to sincerely wish her well. It is important in this new Seanad that we also remember and thank Members of the previous Seanad who were in positions of importance, such as the former Deputy Leader, Catherine Noone, and the Government whip, Gabrielle McFadden, who are not with us here today. Equally, I compliment former Senators Maria Byrne and Gerry Horkan, who was a very good Chair in the previous Seanad.

I look forward to Senator Paul Daly bringing the new Minister, Deputy Cowen, to the House on matters of agriculture. I cannot wait for his interventions on the Order of Business. I look forward to you, a Chathaoirligh, being able to definitely tell Senator Paul Daly that the matter he raises is probably not relevant to the Order of Business. That will be your job.

Today is a day for you and your family, a Chathaoirligh, and for the new Members of the House. I wish you every success and thank the members of the Seanad staff for their courtesy in organising today. Mar fhocal scoir, I thank Orla Murray, the private secretary to the Leader, for her tremendous work. Enjoy your day, a Chathaoirligh. Beir bua.