Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. You learn something new every day. Today, we found out there are two Father Teds. Like Senator Cummins, I offer my commiserations to Senator Boyhan and my congratulations on letting his name go forward. I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and wish him, Conchobar and their families the very best of luck during his term as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann.

This is an historic day, on a number of fronts. For one, Senator Buttimer is the first openly gay man to have been elected Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann in its 100 years and we are, almost to the day, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Seanad Éireann. It is a great honour for him, the House and the country that we have come so far.

Senator Chambers mentioned the changeover. It involved enormous trust. There was a changeover in this House in 1994, when the then Government changed without an election and the power in this House changed from one side to the other, but there was no obligation on the Cathaoirleach or the Leas-Chathaoirleach to resign, and they stayed in their positions. It went from being a majority Government to a minority one, yet the Government that was running the House never lost a vote, even though it had just a minority. Common sense prevailed in the House and Independent Senators played a huge part. They extracted some concessions from the Government and secured great achievements for the people they represented. It is historic from that point of view that the transition in this case involves the resignations of the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach, and it is a great credit to them. This changeover includes the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Leader and the Deputy Leader, and the Whip and the deputy Whip. They are all changing positions and I congratulate all of them on a very smooth transition of power from one to the other. In that regard, this is a very historic day for Seanad Éireann.

Senator Mullen mentioned the independence of the Chair. This is crucial. The Cathaoirleach has to be independent and I have no doubt, as Senator Mullen said, that Senator Buttimer will be a very independent-minded Cathaoirleach. We all appreciate that and we have confidence that it will be the case. I have every confidence he will carry out the proposals he made in the magnificent contribution he made earlier to the House and we look forward to the changes he is going to make over the next two or two and a half years.

I again congratulate everyone involved, including the Cathaoirleach. I wish him and his husband, Conchobar, the best over the next two and a half years.