Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús báire, gabhaim mo chomhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an onóir agus pribhléid mhór a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad. I will take this opportunity to congratulate Senator Mark Daly on his election as Cathaoirleach and I wish him and his family every success in the years ahead.

I agree with Senator McDowell and wish my fellow Galway man, Mr. Billy Lawless, success in his future endeavours. He is a good Galway man, Chicago man and Fine Gael man, although I am not sure in which order he would put those. His contribution to this House and politics will be missed. I know that he will continue his work in international affairs, as it were, relations between Ireland and the United States and what he has already put in place in respect of the undocumented. He has been a strong advocate for the right of Irish citizens across the globe to have a vote in presidential elections, which is part of the programme for Government.

I will take this opportunity to thank the members of the Seanad electorate - councillors and Oireachtas Members - who supported me. I also welcome my colleagues. I congratulate my successor, the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, in the very important role of Chief Whip in the Cabinet. In my time there, there were no votes and the voice of the Chief Whip was as strong as any other. I assure the House of that. I am confident that the Minister of State will be a strong advocate for the west of Ireland and the important projects that we all support across that region, as will my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. From my experience in the Cabinet, it is a collegial environment and there will not be division. People talk about votes, but there has not been a vote. I expect all members of the Cabinet to work strongly for all parts of Ireland, including the west.

I am proud and privileged to take my place today as a Senator. I again congratulate the new Cathaoirleach and congratulate and commend the outgoing Cathaoirleach on his role. I also congratulate my colleague, Senator Doherty, on her nomination as Leader of the House.