Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It gives me great pleasure to use the words, "A Chathaoirligh, Jerry Buttimer". We started yesterday with a sense of giddiness in this House. Quite a large number of Senators sit on the Joint Committee on Gender Equality.We launched our Unfinished Democracy report with great hope yesterday when there was an atmosphere filled with hope. I think it has been replaced today by love. I think everyone can feel the love with all the lovely things that have been said about everybody, but particularly about the Cathaoirleach. His energy for the passions in his life over the length of time I have known him are not just in politics but extend to his sport, his county, his politics and his family. It is an enormous capacity that he has. The themes he described on which he will work in the coming years are incredibly supportive of people - normal people - and the difficulties they have in their normal, everyday lives. That is what makes him so effective. He is actually just a normal person who can see and feel what is happening on the ground. I cannot wait to support him, not only in the celebrations around and advancement of the Good Friday Agreement but also in the celebration of our European Union membership and all the wonderful initiatives in Ireland in the past 50 years because of that. Most important of these is the fight for equality. We have members of the LGBT community, of which the Cathaoirleach is very proud, who stand up in this Chamber week in, week out, but there are also members of other minority groups, such as people with disabilities, people who are disenfranchised and even still, to an extent, women, for whom we have an awful lot to do. How much for women may depend on the 41 recommendations in our report published yesterday. We have an awful lot to do. We talk about how wonderful this country is but there is still an awful lot of work to do. I know the Cathaoirleach will bring that energy to this House over the next couple of years.

I said yesterday that this House is incredibly special, not least because of the people who are here but also because of the space we have to be as thoughtful and as authentic as most people in this House are. The opportunity to develop themes is probably something that is not afforded to any other committee or forum in these Houses, so we are very fortunate in that. I wish the Cathaoirleach continued success. The rest of his life is only beginning today.

On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I thank the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Daly, most sincerely. While I said it yesterday, I do not think it can be repeated enough. Senator O’Loughlin called him irascible yesterday. He is absolutely tireless. Look at his achievements. People have spoken about stretching the boundaries. Take Seanad 100 and, in particular, the amount of art that has adorned the walls in recent months. When we first met here two and a half years ago, pictures of ladies - former politicians - were few and far between in this House. Now we have hundreds. While they might be small, they are here and they are here to stay. That is Senator Daly’s legacy. As a woman and a female politician, I thank him for that, because if our younger people cannot see what they want to be, it makes it much more difficult for them. I congratulate Senator Daly and wish him continued success.

My colleague, Senator Joe O’Reilly was incredibly fair and excellent in the Chair. I can say that because I spent many hours here fighting with him. He is somebody for whom I have great admiration and respect as a parliamentarian. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I thank him for everything he has done for us.

Then there is my colleague, Senator Seán Kyne. With the majority we have, you would think we should not have difficulties making sure we have people in the Chamber, but people are complicated. Senator Kyne has done an incredible job along with Senator Gallagher in the recent years. I wish Senator Kyne continued success and wish Senator Gallagher success for whenever we come back in January. He will have all our support.

My first interaction with Senator Chambers was about ten years ago when she was in the front row of the audience at a panel on which I was sitting with Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and other politicians. By God did she cut the legs from under me from the audience and I came away feeling very bruised. Over the years, I have seen her as one of the most authentic, committed and determined women, not just in Fianna Fáil but in Irish politics. I am particularly minded of an interview both of us did together after the election where I lost and so did she. I was incredibly bruised and decided that, at the age I was at, it was time for me to do something else, but Senator Chambers was as determined a woman as ever. Senator Martin said earlier that failure is only when you stop trying. Senator Chambers has never stopped trying. She is someone whom I genuinely admire and I very much look forward to her being the Leader for the coming years and learning as much from her. She really is exemplary and one of the best people in this House. I wish her the very best of luck.

I will finish by saying happy Christmas. I hope we all have a fabulous break because I am absolutely knackered. Happy Christmas. I hope Santy comes to everybody.