Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is my pleasure to speak as the Cathaoirleach takes this position. It is a very auspicious day for him and his family. I thank the Cathaoirleach for mentioning my family. I am delighted to welcome my mother and father, Olive and Oliver, to the Chamber today. As the Cathaoirleach has said, we are nothing without those behind us and it is a privilege for me to have my parents here today.

I thank the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, who has been a reforming chairperson of this Chamber. The work that he did in so many areas, but in particular on the constitutional debates that took place in this Chamber, was hugely significant. I was privileged to be part of those debates. Members of the unionist community came to the Houses of the Oireachtas when they would not have even come to Dublin beforehand. They came here to speak about the constitutional issue. Those are the kinds of conversations that will change the narrative and chart a different direction for this country. I pay tribute to Senator Mary Daly who performed the role of Cathaoirleach with dignity. I also thank Grace in his office. Well done to them both.

I thank the outgoing Leader, Senator Doherty, with whom I served on Meath County Council, in Dáil Éireann and now in Seanad Éireann. She was an exemplary Leader. I also thank and congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Joe O’Reilly, who is a fellow north-east man. I also thank Senator Seán Kyne. Senator Chambers has described his job as one of the toughest in here. Yesterday, in his last day in the job, his hair was starting to fall out as the gap in the votes started to get tighter and tighter and he learned that three of the Government Members were Mountjoy Prison, namely, Senators Chambers, McGahon and I. We successfully conducted a breakout of Mountjoy to ensure we got back here for the final vótáil. I am sure he will not miss that part of the job.

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election. As he mentioned, we became friends on a very long day in the summer of 2007 when fate and our surnames placed us beside each other on the count for the labour panel. I met his dad for the first time that day. A life-long friendship has continued between the Cathaoirleach and me through a love of life, sport and politics. That is some achievement given that I am from Meath and he is from Cork, which can sometimes lead to rows when we discuss GAA, but more particularly so because I am from Fianna Fáil and the Cathaoirleach is from Fine Gael, which leads to more rows between us. However, that friendship has endured. I know it will be tested now that the Cathaoirleach may have occasion to ring the bell when I get into full flow on the floor of the Chamber, but I am sure I will behave. The Cathaoirleach is an exemplary parliamentarian.He is a republican, an Irishman and my friend. I am delighted for him and for his husband, Conchobar, his brother, John, and his sister, Mary, who are all here today. The Cathaoirleach had a tough start to the year with the loss of his dad, Jerry Sr. I am sure he and the Cathoirleach's mum are looking down today and are very proud of their son. I congratulate the Cathaoirleach.