Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That Senator Jerry Buttimer be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach."

I also welcome our dear friend and former Leas-Chathaoirleach, Paul Coghlan, to the Gallery. He has become a very dear friend to most of us who have been around here for a while. He has served County Kerry, as has the Cathaoirleach, his country, the State and Seanad Éireann with enormous distinction over a very lengthy career as a Member of the House. The State and Seanad Éireann owe him a big debt of gratitude.

With that, it is an absolute privilege to be asked to stand up today and nominate my dear friend, Senator Jerry Buttimer, for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach of the House. Senator Buttimer was elected to Cork City Council on the same day I was elected to Clare County Council, on, I think, 12 June 2004. During his three years on Cork City Council Jerry impressed a huge number of people, not just in Cork but throughout the country. He got elected to Seanad Éireann on his first attempt, on the labour panel, in 2007. During that four-year period he worked exceptionally hard and got elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2011 general election.

Following his election to Dáil Éireann, Senator Buttimer chaired the health committee. That is where his skill set and his ability to chair definitely came to fruition because he chaired the committee at an extremely important time in this country's history, when we saw the beginning of significant social change. Many Members will recall the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, on which the health committee held extensive hearings and engagements. Senator Buttimer's fair-minded chairing of the health committee during that period was well regarded by people on both sides of that debate.

His star quality as a public representative was shown in his leadership the length and breadth of this country during the marriage equality referendum campaign, in respect of which he has already left a major legacy. Jerry's husband, Conchobar, who is in the Public Gallery, is somebody I have got to know very well and admire and respect very much over recent years. When Jerry came out as gay and shared his story with the Irish people, I think the people the length and breadth of this country took Jerry Buttimer into their hearts and their souls. It played a significant role in getting the result in 2015, when the people of Ireland agreed on the right thing to do, led the world in having an open referendum and gay marriage was approved. Jerry Buttimer, a Senator and a colleague of ours, can hold his head with pride because he played a major role not just in the country but also within the Fine Gael Party. As many will know, there were and still are conservative elements to the two major parties, but the conservative elements in Fine Gael drifted away and supported Jerry because they saw his empathy and saw one of their own display his heart on his sleeve and do the right thing for Ireland. I remember that Enda Kenny at that time travelled a personal journey in supporting that referendum. It was a commitment in the programme for Government with the Labour Party but it would not have got over the line unless all elements in the Oireachtas who wanted to see a "Yes" vote had played their part. Senator Buttimer was an inspiration to us all back then.

I have no doubt that, as Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Buttimer will bring his skill set and his ability to lead from the front and will support you, a Chathaoirligh, in your role in transforming this House and bringing it to a new level. As a team, I have no doubt but that Senator Buttimer and the Cathaoirleach will work together. As Leas-Chathaoirleach, he will embody everything that is good about this House. This Chamber over decades has fostered and driven change, going back to the crusading changes Senator Norris led in the 1980s and 1990s. This House is completely in tune with the Irish people. It knows what they want and can see further than any other institution in this country where Ireland should and can be.I believe that my friend and our colleague, Senator Buttimer, will play a role in ensuring that the position of this House in politics and in Irish society will continue in the proud tradition that it has had in the past. It is an absolute pleasure, an honour and a privilege for me to propose Senator Buttimer as Leas-Chathaoirleach here today.