Manus Boyle (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a very proud day for me and my family. My wife, Arlene, switched her dialysis appointment to give me the surprise of being here today. It is lovely to see her here, as well as my children, Barry and Amy. The members of my team, who supported me through thick and thin, are there at the back. I come from a Fine Gael background. My father, of whom I am so proud, was a Fine Gael councillor for many years. He was here yesterday, along with my mother and brothers and sisters, to see me come in this door. I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart.

I am really looking forward to working with everybody in the House. I am seen as a person who works with everyone, no matter his or her political persuasion. I can work on a cross-party basis. I am here for the good of Ireland and the good of Donegal. I am here especially for the good of the fishing community there. All over Ireland, coastal communities have been decimated by what is going on. I will be here as a voice for Donegal, the fishing communities all over Ireland and everything else going on that we need to sort out in Donegal. There are a lot of problems but we can sort them all out. It just takes everybody across the House pulling together.

I congratulate each and every Member. I thank Simon Harris for appointing me. Most colleagues' election came the hard way; I got here the easy way. I am glad to be part of this and to be on the team here in the Seanad.