Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is an absolute privilege and honour to be elected to Seanad Éireann. I take this opportunity to thank my family, friends and supporters after a difficult general election campaign. The public representatives and the councillors across Ireland put their faith in me, and I will do all within my remit to honour the trust and belief they placed in me on 2 April.

As you said at the outset, a Chathaoirligh, to try and fail is understandable, and to fail to try is unacceptable. You have been a while on the road, and today is a very proud day for you, your family and Kerry, as has been mentioned throughout the debate. I was lucky enough to get elected to Galway City Council in 2009 and have met you a number of times along the road. I will tell one brief story. In 2010, when my brother was elected mayor, first citizen, of Galway city, there was a knock on the door at a remarkable hour in the morning. It was the man from Kenmare. What you have shown in the 13 years you have been in Seanad Éireann is an appetite for work. You have hunger and belief, including belief in yourself. You seem to have an excellent office. If I learn anything today, I should learn that work counts and work matters. Whether it is the Irish deaf community, sign language, your Republican values, the Irish flag or the Irish Kidney Association, you have left no stone unturned. I was talking to a man who has spent a lot more time in this House. He told me that when he met you in 2007 as you were canvassing for election to the Seanad, you shocked him with the vote you got. One must have belief in oneself, and that is what you have. I wish you and your family well today.

I wish to take the opportunity to thank the Vintners Federation of Ireland for the nomination and for giving me the opportunity to run for election to this House. Today, as the hospitality sector opens up, in excess of 250,000 jobs are dependent on the hospitality sector. That is a vital message this House needs to send to the Cabinet and our Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin. We must support the hospitality sector, our tourism sector and our hotels, restaurants and bars now more than ever. I certainly will put pressure on the Government to deliver what is required.

Finally, I acknowledge Senator Chambers, who has been appointed our Leader in the House. I congratulate her. I thank Martin Groves, Clerk of the Seanad, who has been very helpful to me since I arrived in early April. I also acknowledge the contribution of two fellow Galwegians - and two fine Galwegians they are. As mentioned previously, a Member of the previous Seanad, Billy Lawless, employs nearly 500 people in Chicago and has done huge work for the diaspora across America. I spoke to him recently. I wish him well in Chicago representing the undocumented Irish. I want to point out the significant work he does. Another fellow Galwegian, Pádraig Ó Céidigh, is an outgoing Senator. I acknowledge his contribution to me, the State and Galway.

A Chathaoirligh, enjoy your day and enjoy your term. It is well deserved.