Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to build on the good work of Senator McGahon in making sure that a fitting memorial will be erected in Leinster House to remember the late Senator Fox. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

In keeping with the ethos of Seanad Éireann in promoting minority voices, I would like that Seanad Éireann during my time would in some way play a real role in promoting the human rights of all persons with disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities offers us a roadmap. To stand up for persons with a disability and their rights is a theme we all should embrace.

On 14 November 1923, William Butler Yeats won the Noble Prize for Literature. He created history when he was awarded that prize in literature because he became the first Irish citizen to achieve such an accolade. Yeats was an Irishman, a poet and a Senator. The citation read, "for his always inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation". That spirit of nationhood was captured by Yeats in "The Wild Swans at Coole", as follows:

Their hearts have not grown old;

Passion or conquest, wander where they will,

Attend upon them still.

I hope that next year we can pay tribute to Yeats. Tá cónaí orainn ar oileán ina bhfuil teanga fhileata, cultúr saibhir agus stair bhródúil. Tá sé de dhualgas orainn ar fad an oidhreacht sin a chaomhnú agus a chothú.

Ireland became a proud member of the European Union on 1 January 1973 following a referendum in which 83% of our population voted to support. Membership of the EU has benefited our country immensely. I believe next year it is important to reflect on Ireland EU's membership and the many positive impacts it continues to have on our nation. I believe that we as a Seanad should reflect in a tangible way on 50 years of EU membership.

Next June, Ireland will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland. I ask all Members to support me in order that we as a House can commemorate this groundbreaking legislation that changed life for so many. It is a milestone anniversary. As the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar, stated in 2018 in thanks to those who fought that battle, especially our colleague, the father of the House, Senator Norris, they "helped change minds and change laws [but also they] fought for me before I did so myself." That was so true of Senator Norris for many generations. Senator Norris's bravery and courage has meant so much to many of us that we can live a full and open life. We will never forget the Senator.

My election as Cathaoirleach today and tomorrow's re-election, please God, of Deputy Varadkar as Taoiseach in our national Parliament, these Houses of the Oireachtas, sends a powerful message to every young person and not-so-young person across Ireland and the world who is questioning their sexual identity. As a member of the LGBT community, one is free to be oneself and one can realise one's dreams in this wonderful country. The words of Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" are simple:

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream,

Really do come true.

Mar focal scoir, is mór an dúshlán atá romhainn na laethanta seo. Tá ról lárnach ag Seanad Éireann i bpolaitíocht na hÉireann agus beidh an Seanad ina cheannródaí i ndíospóireachtaí reatha na tíre. Impím ar gach ball anseo a dtacaíocht luachmhar a thabhairt chun cinn.

Family is important to all of us in politics. We make sacrifices and they make sacrifices. I am proud and pleased today that my husband, Conchobar, is here. He is my love and I thank him for being here.

I am joined by my brother, Mary - sorry, my brother, John, and my sister, Mary. She was always called one of the lads so she really could be.