Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is with a huge sense of pride and joy that I address Senator Buttimer as Cathaoirleach. It is an enormous pleasure for me to do that as he is one of my closest friends, not just politically but in life. He is somebody I speak to every day of the week irrespective of whether it is good or bad. If anyone wonders about his passion, and many people have spoken about passion, they would not want to sit beside him in Semple Stadium when Clare are ahead by a point in injury time against Cork. The Cathaoirleach's passion comes out in droves when it comes to GAA matches. He is a passionate GAA person, a passionate Cork person, a passionate Irish person and a passionate Senator. He has already made an immense contribution in his career to Irish political life. We all know that. That will continue in his new role as Cathaoirleach.

Senator Norris was elected in 1987 and the decriminalisation of homosexuality happened as a result of his efforts. It has taken until 2022 for an openly gay person to sit in the Cathaoirleach's chair. We can now say that the Seanad is fully, in every sense of the word, a place where people from diverse backgrounds can prosper and have their voices heard, not just by individuals but by the institution itself. The Seanad as an institution, following today's election of Senator Buttimer as Cathaoirleach, is a home for minority, diverse voices. Please God, at some stage in the not-too-distant future, we will see somebody with a disability become Cathaoirleach and a member of the Council of State in that capacity. The projects Senator Buttimer outlined in his maiden speech as Cathaoirleach are ones he is passionate about. I have spoken to him at length regarding a number of them. I know he will hit the ground running with those projects as soon as we come back in January.

I ask the Cathaoirleach to enjoy his position. He has waited a long time for it. I agree with those who said the timing is right. I believe that is the case. The Cathaoirleach's personality, collegiality, ability to transcend all parties and none, and his ability to attract people to him will make him a unique Cathaoirleach. This is also a proud day for his husband, Conchobar. I have no doubt that the Cathaoirleach's father and mother are above in heaven looking down with enormous pride.