Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, and as a friend and a colleague of the Minister’s for a long time, I thank her for her dedicated public service. I thank her wonderful husband and family for being her rock solid harbour and support. I thank her for the friendship she has shown to many of us in this House. Míle buíochas.

To those who are watching at home and listening, the Minister’s contribution should be used as a podcast on how to live in the political world. She is right that there are many in both Houses of the Oireachtas who live by social media and urge people on in social media and that people should ignore them. All of us in this Chamber know it is about the real people. The Minister has demonstrated by her commitment as a Minister and a politician that people matter, and she has always lived by that. I hope she and Eric enjoy the next chapter of their life, whatever it may be.