Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A Chathaoirligh agus a Sheanadóirí, tá an-áthas orm a bheith i bhur láthair anseo inniu mar Sheanadóir nua Fhianna Fáil. I am absolutely thrilled to have been elected to this House and I thank everyone involved on my journey. I pay particular tribute to my husband, Paddy, and my sons John and Philip, who have stuck with me through good years and bad years in my political life. I also remember my late parents, Phil and Teresa Murphy, my late brother Con and my two other brothers, Dan and Phil Murphy, who have contributed hugely to me staying on the pitch and waiting for my opportunity to come again.

I have had quite a political journey. I have been a member of Bandon Town Council and Cork County Council. I have been a Member of Dáil Éireann and, now, a Member of Seanad Éireann. On that journey, I was lucky enough to break two glass ceilings. I was the first female ever elected from Cork South-West and I am now the first female Senator from Cork South-West. If you see it, you can be it, so I hope that in some way I am an inspiration to young girls all around the country but especially in west Cork.

I thank the ICPSA for nominating me and helping me to get here.I promise to work with them from now on. I also remind all of my colleagues of the councillors who, in most cases, elected us here. It is very important we do not forget them now. Most of us have been councillors and I think their work is often undervalued and underrated. They work extremely hard and it is important that we, as Members of Seanad Éireann, do not forget them. I congratulate the Cathaoirleach agus beir bua.