Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is the Cathaoirleach's day and I congratulate him on it. I am delighted for him. I knew him long before he was elected to Cork City Council in 2004. We worked together as Fine Gael colleagues before that and we have been very good friends down through the years. I am delighted his family members are here today, including Conchobar, John and Mary, as well as his supporters and friends. I wish him all the best in office.

I thank the outgoing Leader and Deputy Leader, who are swapping roles, and the outgoing Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach for the very fine job they did. I also thank our outgoing Whip, Senator Kyne, and the incoming Whip, Senator Gallagher. The Government Whip does important work in ensuring the smooth running of the Seanad, as the outgoing Whip has done over the past two and a half years.

It would be fantastic if the Cathaoirleach's late father, Jerry Sr., could have been here today. I know how much that would have meant to the Cathaoirleach. Jerry Sr. is certainly looking down on him in spirit. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will be a very fair and impartial chairperson and fair to everybody right across the House. I wish him the very best in his endeavours. We face a challenging period in the two-plus years remaining to this Seanad. I assure the Cathaoirleach of my full co-operation. I wish him a very happy first Christmas as Cathaoirleach.