Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I was first elected to the House 18 years ago, I opened my record here by speaking on behalf of the LNG project on the Shannon Estuary which, all those 18 years later, is still battling its way. I know my Green Party friends have been very opposed to it. I think at this stage the courts have adjudicated on this matter. There are a huge number of jobs at stake for my region, a region which has suffered greatly from emigration over all of those years. I wish it well during my final comments in this House.

It strikes me that, barring accidents, this is my last opportunity to speak in this Chamber. Mind you, I recall the Seanad was brought back during one election. I think Senator Mark Daly contrived to bring us all back on some very important issue, so who knows. As it is my final time here, I wish to say that I have enjoyed the immense privilege of being a Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I regard when I got elected to be here as being the high point of my life and, thankfully, I succeeded in being re-elected on four occasions.

I owe an awful lot of thanks to an awful lot of people. With the Acting Chair's indulgence, I wish all my colleagues here nothing but the best. I have crossed swords with a number of people here from time to time. I have no personal animosity against any individual Senator here. If we had hot words, it was out of commitment and passion perhaps. I wish every one of you well. For those who are seeking election, I wish you the very best, and when you come looking for my number one, I will give every one of you the utmost consideration and promise you all. It is nice to be the other side of it.

I thank everybody in the Seanad Office, starting with Martin Groves, who has been an outstanding public servant and represents all that is best in Irish public service. He, Bridget and all his staff in the Seanad Office have been so wonderful. You could not fault them and I am delighted Martin is still here at the helm and I know everything will be run properly. I also thank the ushers and all the ancillary staff of the House. I will find my own way of thanking those in my own time, but particularly our Seanad staff.

I owe an awful lot to Members here. It has been a huge learning experience every day.I had highs and lows that I came through. I had developed an addiction which set me back a great amount. It was the biggest battle of my life. Thankfully, I have managed to be in recovery for five years, with the help of many people here, so I have no regrets about that. I received friendship from people here on all sides. It is amazing how you find your friends in all corners when you are in trouble and I will always remember that friendship from people here.

I wish those who put themselves forward well. I wish those who are retiring well. I will always keep an eye on the screen at home to make sure Senators are behaving themselves.