Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach, an Seanadóir Norris, ar ais chuig an Seanad agus gabhaim buíochas lenár n-iar-Chathaoirleach agus lenár n-iar-Leas-Chathaoirleach. I will begin by thanking the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, and acknowledge, as have other colleagues, his real steadfast commitment to the House and pushing the boundaries of the House. I am sure my fellow group leaders will acknowledge he could be a right pain in the neck sometimes in terms of how he was trying to push it and how eager and determined he was to do so but he never gave up. He had a short window in which to do it and he made a number of significant contributions in his role as Cathaoirleach. I acknowledge this.

I hope in the next round we will have an opportunity to reflect on the esteemed and very worthwhile contribution of our outgoing Leas-Chathaoirleach, my friend Senator Joe O'Reilly. I should have said my friend and fellow Ulsterman, Senator Joe O'Reilly, because it is important that we get it on the record.

I could not put it any more eloquently than Senator Higgins and Clonan did with regard to Sinn Féin's support today for Senator Boyhan. I will not even try and I am sure Victor will appreciate that. What has needed to be said has been said. I congratulate Senator Buttimer on his nomination. Senator Buttimer is what Jim in my office calls "nationally minded". I know he knows, and he will be reminded of it often, that this is Seanad Éireann and not Seanad some-of-Éireann. I look forward to working with him in this spirit and regard. I also know from his time as the Leader of the House in the previous term that he has a real rebel Cork mentality. I look forward, if indeed he is elected, with a certain degree of mischievousness, to see just how Senator Buttimer will temper himself in the role of Cathaoirleach when things get a bit heated or problematic for him. Never the less I wish both candidates well. I indicate our support today for Senator Boyhan.

In making a closing point, which is a political point, I agree with the speakers who have spoken about the House. I have certainly found it very different from my experience in Belfast City Hall. In this House we can make our political points and have our political differences but retain a degree of collaboration and co-operation. What we are likely to see today and what we are likely to see happen in the Dáil tomorrow is merely a swap. It is not change. It is not real change. It is not the change that people want and so desperately need. In saying this it is my firm commitment to work respectfully and collaboratively with the new Cathaoirleach and the new Leas-Chathaoirleach. It is also my firm wish that people get what they want for Christmas, which is the real contest. We have spoken about the primacy of contests and giving people a democratic and electoral choice. It is my hope that we will have a general election, a change of Government and change of Seanad pretty soon that reflects this. I wish both candidates well. I look forward to hearing not only their visions for the future but how we can work together in the House.