Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are still on the record so that is definitely the first time a piece of music has been part of proceedings in a parliament anywhere in the world. On our 100th anniversary, it is most appropriate. I thank Mr. Eamonn Walsh, who is a member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which has been central to Irish traditional music and culture for decades and has been one of the Seanad’s nominating bodies for over 40 years. Labhrás Ó Murchú was a Member of the Seanad and president of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for many years. The music we heard was "The Coolin", which we are all familiar with and which is centuries old and appropriate to finish the proceedings with.

I thank Dr. John Bowman for his reflection earlier, the Ceann Comhairle for the use of the Dáil Chamber today, and the Office of Public Works for all its assistance with this event. I also thank the Royal Irish Academy, which has permitted the use of the Stopford Green casket, which graces our Chamber today and has the names of all of the Members of the First Seanad on it. They signed that scroll. I thank our neighbours in the National Museum of Ireland, who are allowing us to use the Ceramics Room. I thank Mr. Peter Finnegan, Secretary General, who is present, for all his assistance in making this event possible, not only today but throughout the year. I commend the efforts of all the staff and contractors on making this centenary year such a special event. The Seanad is about minority voices for major change. This has been one of its key roles for the past hundred years.

There are too many involved to mention them all but I would like to mention the communications unit team under the leadership of Mr. Derek Dignam and Ms Mairéad Treanor; the Clerk of the Seanad, Mr. Martin Groves; the clerk assistant, Ms Bridget Doody; all the members of the Seanad staff who are behind the railings; and Ms Martha Dowling, who has been extraordinary in her work on Seanad 100.

As public representatives, we all know how much our families help us in our work. I thank them on behalf of all the Members. I thank the families of Senators past and present for all their support. They deserve a round of applause.

On a personal note, I thank my own family. Thanks to Seán and Eileen, and to my brothers and sisters, John, Conor and Paul, Elaine, Gail and Aoife. I also thank all nine of my nieces and nephews; I thank them for stuffing all the envelopes. Special thanks to Ms Grace Coyle, who has managed to fit five years' work into two and a half.

To you all, slán. I wish you all the very best. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.