Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am so happy for the Cathaoirleach that he has achieved this position. They say that it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes an army to get to this point in your career. In listening to everything that people have said about him today, I felt like we were on that journey with him. I had forgotten all the milestones, challenges and brave things he has done over the years. It makes absolute sense because, from the moment I arrived here, he has been a fair, sound and supportive colleague. He is, by nature, a nurturer. He cannot help himself. He will shine in this role and nurture this role in a very different way from our previous Cathaoirleach, although he will enhance the Seanad just as much.

Two things have brought us together over the past couple of years. One was when I got Covid. The Cathaoirleach was extremely supportive of me, as a brand new Senator who was terrified that she had got Covid. He was fantastic. The second thing is that we have shared grief. It is not even a year since the Cathaoirleach lost his dad. I have to admit that there was more than a lump in my throat as I listened to him. I can feel his loss today and his sadness that his father is not here to see this moment. He is here, however.

I was driving around in Bishopstown, County Cork, in the cold asking for Benvorlick Estate, the Cathaoirleach's address. I was looking for a fine mansion, Benvorlick Estate. I remember the welcome the Cathaoirleach gave me when I arrived at his house, even in the depths of his grief. That is what he does. He makes people feel part of a family. I am sure that will extend. It has already extended over his years here but it will go to a new level as Cathaoirleach.

Of course, I am particularly interested in what the Cathaoirleach said about the Good Friday Agreement. I am so excited to hear him say that. It is the perfect year to do it. There is a disconnect between North and South and that has increased because of what has happened with Brexit and the protocol. We need to get back into the patterns and habits of building bridges. Having MLAs here is a perfect way to do that. We can do that sectorally on the issues of the day, if the Cathaoirleach does not mind me making some suggestions already, in the same way the shared island unit hopes to from a civic point of view. This is an opportunity for two chambers to discuss common challenges. As we hope to come to a resolution on the protocol, it is an important time to consider how the protocol moulds to the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement is the only show in town and we absolutely have to make the protocol work with it.

On that topic, this House has done great work as regards an all-island perspective because of the work of our outgoing Cathaoirleach. I have soldiered with Senator Mark Daly over the past two and a half years. I have certainly learned a great deal from him. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him on issues like supporting victims of the Troubles and to together sign a document that is the only resolution signed by all of the parties on this island. That is something he and I will treasure for the rest of our lives. We also discussed in this Chamber the constitutional future of our island and heard the amazing voices of young people, their visions and what they want. We also heard minority voices. We heard unionists in the Seanad contribute to the discussion on what this island can look like and what they want it to look like. Senator Mark Daly managed to get the son of Ian Paisley to contribute in Seanad Éireann, which, again, is a great achievement. I know he will be building on that.

Our outgoing Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Joe O'Reilly, has so much gravitas. He is such a distinguished politician and has done a fantastic job in his role. Of course, I have a fondness for him because he knew my father and is a Cavan man. Senators Doherty, Chambers and Pauline O'Reilly are straight-talking and practical female politicians with common sense whom I greatly admire. It is an absolute joy to work with them and to come up with shared solutions. I am in awe of their talent. I wish them the best of luck with the changeovers. As to Senator Boyhan, our Independent lead, I am again learning from him all of the time. I greatly appreciate the work he does for this House and for councillors all around the country. Lastly, I would be lost without Senator Kyne and Deirdre, the fiercest double act in town. Sometimes I do not realise I am lost and they find me and make sure I am in the right place. At the halfway point, interval or half-time, it is really nice to mark these people. We just could not do so properly two and a half years' ago. It is a very special day. Merry Christmas to everybody. I thank them for being such wonderful colleagues. I wish the man of the moment, our Cathaoirleach, the best of luck.