Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join in the words of welcome to Miriam and her husband, to Senator Norris's director of elections and to my great friend, the former Leader of this House, Maurice Cummins. It is great to see them here today.

This is a sad day and a happy day. It is a day that we hoped would never come, but it has. That is your decision, Senator Norris, and I wish you well in it.

I have a number of speaking notes. I will call them speaking notes because Senator Dooley referred to 2002, when we first came to the Seanad. Senator Norris took issue with the fact that some of us had scripts so I refer now to my speaking notes.

As the Cathaoirleach mentioned, David Norris is not and never has been a one trick pony. His interests are almost as diverse as his opinions. Senator Norris has spoken knowledgeably on many matters since taking his place in the 18th Seanad in April 1987, including gay rights, human rights, health, education, finance, industry and conservation. He is a former lecturer and a celebrated Joycean scholar who has brought Bloomsday and James Joyce to a worldwide audience, which is another feather in his well-plumed hat.

On his first day in this House, Senator Norris showed how serious he was with his first Adjournment matter, a motion calling for the Government's response to the question of public education with regard to AIDS and funding thereof at the earliest possible date, and while his motion was not accepted by the Cathaoirleach of the day who advised that it was a topic too wide to be discussed within the time constraints of the Adjournment, Senator Norris's acceptance of the decision and immediate notice to the Cathaoirleach that he would raise the matter as a substantive motion along with then Senator Mary Robinson was a sign of things to come from this pioneering and progressive Senator who put forward inclusion repeatedly in his contributions.

Senator Norris's keen interests in housing, planning and conservation not only showed in his passion for the restoration of his own house in Dublin's north inner city, but in his concerns about the destruction of Georgian streetscapes, the condition of artworks in the National Gallery and the upkeep and maintenance of this building and complex we are in. I know my time is up and my notes are too extensive.

In wrapping up, Senator Norris was referred to by the former Cathaoirleach, Senator O'Donovan, as a gem. I know one of Senator Norris's favourite singer-songwriters was Christie Hennessy and he had a song, "I Am A Star". Senator Norris, you are a star and that star will shine brightly for decades to come. I wish you nothing but the best of luck into the future.

This is a special day. I have to right a wrong that was committed ten years ago on Senator Norris. My 11-year-old daughter at the time, my eldest daughter, Róisín, met Senator Norris in the canteen. He bought her her tea and, as a gesture towards him, she gave me a box of what we did not know. Senator Norris has a vice, and it is not alcohol. Senator Norris is addicted to teacakes. She gave me a box 11 years ago to give to him. Somehow they never got to him; they disappeared in my office. When she heard yesterday that this day was coming up, she went down the town and bought two boxes of them, and they are here for you, Senator Norris.