Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Cathaoirleach well and I thank him for giving me the opportunity to say a few words in my maiden speech in the Seanad. It is a great honour for me to stand in front of Members today, to look around the room and to recognise so many famous faces that I have looked up to in recent years. The Cathaoirleach mentioned the great role that family plays in political life and I acknowledge the Cathaoirleach's family who are here today. I would also like to acknowledge my wife Michelle, and my sons Cathal and Eoin, who are looking in and I thank them for allowing me to participate in public life for the last 14 to 15 years. We all owe a debt of gratitude to our families for stepping back and being there for us when we want them.

I join with other Members in thanking the front-line workers. We have seen the Ireland we all want and dream of in recent months. Everybody working on the front line has stepped up to the plate and ensured that this dreadful pandemic has not affected communities in the way it could have without their great work. I would also include the community workers who have gone out of their way to ensure that the older people in our communities in particular are seen to and looked after, as the Cathaoirleach also mentioned. I acknowledge and thank them for their work.

For me, the Seanad and public life should be about the quality of life we can provide for working families and for those who get up every morning to go out to work. I hope to use my time here to ensure that childcare is at the centre of what we can provide for working families. When I canvassed in recent elections, throughout Newbridge, Athy, Monasterevin and Kildare town, that was the number one issue for working families. These families have to get up every morning and bring their children to crèches, often at 6.30 a.m or 7 a.m. I look forward to working with my Labour Party colleagues on a childcare policy that we can bring forward through the Seanad. I am sure that will be acknowledged by all Members as we look forward.

I also want to use this opportunity to thank all of the councillors, who the Cathaoirleach and other Members have also mentioned. Councillors played a pivotal role in the election of all of us here today and I particularly thank all of the Labour Party councillors and the many councillors I met in my travels throughout the country in recent times. I assure them I will continue to work with them over the coming months. It was said that it will be for 12 months but I hope it will be a bit longer than that.

I thank the people of Kildare for giving me this opportunity, which I will not take lightly. I want to ensure that I do my best for the people who elected me to Kildare County Council and who have given me this opportunity in the Seanad. I thank them sincerely.

I welcome the fact that other Members have said that we will work together. That is the best approach and the Cathaoirleach has mentioned that as well. I look forward to working with him and if us 60 Members can work together, this Seanad will be remembered as one of the most effective Seanaid there has been in the history of this State.