Seanad debates

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. Like the Cathaoirleach and Senator Conway I would like to welcome the iar-Leas-Chathaoirleach, the iar-Sheanadóir Paul Coghlan to the House. I cannot see him up there but he is welcome. I thank him for his service to this House and this country over 23 years as a Member of this House.

It is an honour and a personal pleasure to be given the opportunity to second the proposal that Senator Buttimer be elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann. I first met Jerry Buttimer, as he was then, in September 1984. I was a student in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and I was asked to show a small group of some of the new seminarians around the college. Halfway through the tour, I realised that Jerry knew more about the place than I did, so I let him continue with the tour. He has been leading things ever since that. We took different paths in life until 2007, when I was starting my second term here and Senator Buttimer was elected to this House for the first time. I took it upon myself to give it another go after 23 years and I started to show him around the place. Thankfully, on that occasion, I knew slightly more than he did about the place, although that seems to have changed in recent years.

There are many stories I could tell about the then Jerry Buttimer but in fairness to him, even though I have privilege, I will not do so. Suffice it to say that he was well known as a very good footballer and he had the amazing ability to play the game and commentate on it at the same time. No one who has served here with Senator Buttimer or has ever watched our proceedings from afar will require any explanation as to why Senator Buttimer is more than well qualified to serve as Leas-Chathaoirleach of this House. He was an excellent Leader of the Seanad. In that role, he always served and represented this House with commitment, dedication and passion. He demonstrated his ability to work with Senators across the House with respect and understanding. No one can accuse him of not getting quickly to the point. Indeed, all too often, he was there at the point waiting impatiently while some of us were still slowly building up to it. I have no doubt that he will bring this capacity for efficiency and brevity - most of the time - to his time in the Chair.

That is reason enough to support his nomination here today but it is only one of several important reasons why I am honoured to second Senator Buttimer and why I asked my colleagues to support him. In electing Senator Buttimer to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach, we are, as his colleagues and as Senators, sending a clear signal about how we view this place and see it as representing the best of the Ireland of today. Senator Buttimer represents much of what is good about this House. He is very proud of his party, its values and its history but not to the point that he cannot see and acknowledge that it might not always be 100% right on everything - and I would argue that it is not 50% right on most occasions.By the way, for those Senators who might not be aware of the fact as he mentions it so rarely, he hails from Cork. Indeed, he is not only from Cork but, to be more precise, from Bishopstown. It was there that he learned the great importance of community to our personal identity, our development and our values. Via his mother, Nancy, a nurse, and his father, Jerry, the highly regarded CEO of COPE, the Cork-based not-for-profit foundation that supports adults and children with intellectual disabilities, Jerry Jnr. saw how giving of yourself to your community and your society benefits you and improves life for all. As a teacher and later as a director of adult education, Senator Buttimer showed this commitment to and passion for education, both as an agent for lifelong personal development and an advocate for equality and social justice.

Senator Buttimer comes to the post of Leas-Chathaoirleach with a strong record of political service, from his time as a councillor on Cork City Council from 2004 to 2007 to his two full terms in this House - the Senator is beginning his third - and one term in the Lower House. I have no doubt that Senator Buttimer will preside over the Seanad with fairness and impartiality. I have no doubt that his conduct with the business of the House will be fair and always in accordance with the letter and spirit of our Standing Orders. This is all we ask of our Leas-Chathaoirleach and I know it is what we will get from Senator Buttimer.

I wish Senator Buttimer well in the role and I extend those good wishes to his wonderfully patient and accepting partner and husband, Conchobhar Ó Laoghaire, and to all the Senator's family and friends. Táim bródúil as ucht ainm an Seanadóir Buttimer a chur os comhair an Tí don phost mar Leas-Chathaoirleach.

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