Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. It is wonderful to be able to say that to Senator Buttimer.

We have had a very interesting couple of years in the Seanad. This is my first time in the Seanad and sometimes when I was getting the train up from Galway, I was the only person in the carriage. We had a really unique experience over the last couple of years and we are almost like a family in here. We have got to know each other very well. I met very few people other than Senators and my immediate family over that period. In that time, I got to know Senator Buttimer well and we have become really good friends. He is effervescent and vivacious and we could do with a bit more of that. He is also very honourable. Often I think that Fine Gael is very lucky to have him and many of the party representatives across the Chamber would say the same.