Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Comhghairdeas a Chathaoirligh. It is very strange to hear the term "Senator Aisling Dolan". I am still not used to it. I congratulate Senator Regina Doherty on her role as Leader of the House. Everyone has paid tribute to the leadership we have seen in recent months with regard to Covid-19 from the Ministers who were in place. It was inspirational. As a new Senator in the Chamber for the first time it is an honour. Having gone through the elections I see very many familiar faces from knocking on doors. I thank them for their words of support and their encouragement. It has meant an awful lot. Having listened to the speakers today I realise there is so much we will achieve in the coming years. We will work together. Obviously, there will be robust debate and I very much enjoyed hearing that there would be. We will work to achieve for the benefit of all. Coming from Ballinasloe I will represent the west of Ireland. We will input to ensure the policies we pass here will benefit all in every town and village in Ireland. We will ensure we get a fair share of investment in those areas by working with our colleagues here and in the Dáil.

I very much support the calls for a minute's silence for detective garda Colm Horkan. It is very important people on the front line are acknowledged. We have seen the work done by our healthcare professionals. I work in NUI Galway. I am not there today, so they are missing me. I work in a health innovation hub with people who are in healthcare and on the front line. What they have achieved in recent months has been phenomenal. When it comes to gardaí we saw what they have done through the community call in all of our towns and villages. They were the ones who answered the door and helped, along with An Post and everyone else who stood up. I very much support the call for a minute's silence if other Members agree.

I thank Senator Mullen for his kind words. The former Senator, Michael Mullins, has given me a lot of tips along the way, including how to get to where I need to go. I also thank Senator Eugene Murphy. My colleagues and I will work hard to represent the west, in particular Roscommon and Galway. I thank the Cathaoirleach and wish him very well in the time ahead.