Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

God help him is right. I am glad to say he has learned good skills and has put them to good effect on the stage in New York.

I welcome the members of the GAA family who are here, namely, Cian Murphy, ard stiúrthóir Tom Ryan, Alan Milton and Ger Ryan, from the Munster Council, as well as Declan McBennett, head of sport in RTÉ. I welcome the sisters of the uachtarán, Aedín, Patsy, Maeve, Una, Fiona and Mary. You are all very welcome to Leinster House today. I thank you for joining us in welcoming the uachtarán to the House.

As Members will know, under Standing Order 57(2), distinguished addresses are given to Seanad Éireann by representatives and persons in civic and public life. If we are to pause and reflect on the importance of public life of citizens, the ways in which people engage in relation to their towns, parishes, communities and culture it is very difficult and, in fact, impossible for me personally, to imagine a civic and public life without Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. For nearly 140 years, the GAA has built a very special place in the lives and hearts of Irish people. Aside from providing an outlet of fun, physical activity, good health and well-being for generations, the GAA has played a huge part in shaping our communities, bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging. Many of us in the Chamber are involved in and played with our local clubs, which are the backbone of our communities and some of the best examples of volunteering that can be found in Irish society. We saw this especially, but not exclusively, during Covid. The values of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael represent the very best of us.

I also welcome to our gathering our colleague and friend, former Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh who, as Members will know, plays a key role in Páirc an Chrócaigh. I also welcome Deputy Grealish to the House.

In 1884, in a hotel in a famous square in Thurles, the GAA was founded. The GAA is very good at looking inwards and thinking about what we have and have not done. The GAA then was about community and identity, reviving our traditional games and making sport accessible. If we ask today how the GAA compares over the past 140 years at key milestones, we can all agree that comparison question brings us to the conclusion that the GAA as an organisation always changes and evolves.