Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It was wonderful to listen to the Cathaoirleach's speech this morning safe in the knowledge that this is the last time we will have to hear him make long speeches, particularly about Cork and looking towards west Cork as the enemy for him. I am delighted for him. I have travelled, worked, joked and argued with him. I believe he is the right man in the right place for the right time.

I was delighted to hear two things in his speech. One was the Good Friday Agreement. We have allowed the Good Friday Agreement to wander on since it was voted on. We need to start taking a more proactive look at that and the Cathaoirleach is just the man to do that.

The Cathaoirleach mentioned Private Rooney, who lost his life tragically in Lebanon. Like all of the soldiers in our Defence Forces, and the Cathaoirleach have discussed this many times, Private Rooney served his country with honour and dignity and they are always there. I sent an email today to all Members of the Oireachtas that contained a piece written by a company quartermaster sergeant that under normal circumstances, I would ask to read into the record but today is not the day for that. I hope the Cathaoirleach will allow that in January. At the proudest moment of the Cathaoirleach's life, he thought of a member of our Defence Forces on which I commend him. It was a wonderful thing to do.

My friend and colleague Senator Boyhan was safe in the knowledge that he was never going to beat the Cathaoirleach anyway. It was a numbers game. However, I commend Senator Boyhan on his commitment to democracy and for making sure that no post in this country that is electable is ever granted or given to anybody as a gift. The people, our electorate, put us here and we put the Cathaoirleach where he is, which is the way it should work. It should always work that way.

Senator Mark Daly has been an exceptional Cathaoirleach - a very fair and far-thinking man who broke all the boundaries here. I commend him on his work. Our Leader Senator Doherty and our Deputy Leader, Senator Chambers from County Mayo, have been excellent to work with. They have been willing to allow us to put things on the record as part of our role here.

I wish the Cathaoirleach the best of luck as he moves forward and I sincerely hope he achieves the ideals he set out today. Congratulations my friend- the very best of luck to you.