Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody back. We had quite a break for various reasons such as St. Patrick's Day and Easter. I acknowledge the presence of Senator O'Hara. He is very welcome. I came back in a by-election, as did my colleague Senator Maria Byrne, that was not as easy as Senator O'Hara's one. I even had a member of Senator O'Hara's party on the ballot paper but despite that, many of his party members voted for me. I was delighted to get back here and it was a wonderful experience to get back in a by-election as no doubt Senator Maria Byrne will also testify. I am sure it was even nicer to do it without having to take part in any contest.

I acknowledged on the last day we sat that Leo Varadkar was stepping down as Taoiseach. I pay tribute to him and also to Deputy Coveney and Deputy Madigan, who is my local TD, for all their work in their ministerial portfolios and congratulate Simon Harris. I also congratulate Deputy Peter Burke. I worked well with him on the regional health forum for south Dublin and mid-Leinster for many years. I congratulate Deputy O'Donovan, who used to come to this House when I was spokesperson on finance. I also congratulate Deputy Dillon. Former members of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, particularly Fine Gael members, seem to do quite well. Senator Buttimer became Cathaoirleach, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell became a Minister of State and now Deputy Dillon has become a Minister of State. I also congratulate Deputy Higgins and Deputy Colm Burke, who is a former Senator.