Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I read messages from Dáil Éireann, it gives me great pleasure to welcome the retired classmates of our colleague and friend, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, who trained with him on Sharman Crawford Street in Cork. Their wives and husbands are all very welcome. I thank them for being here. I am sorry they had the misfortune to put up with this man for a long time. On a more serious note, Deputy O'Dowd has been a good friend to us here in Leinster House. We wish our visitors all a happy and pleasurable day in Leinster House. Good luck to you in your retirement, Deputy O'Dowd, and thank you for your public service to the people of Louth. You have been a courageous and brave politician. We salute you for that.