Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome a very special guest, or rather guests, to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Julie Lyons is here with all her family. If anyone has ever been to Leinster House and eaten food here, it has been made with the loving tender care of Julie and all her team. She looks after everyone in Leinster House as if they are one of her own. She is here with all of her own. There are two children, Miranda and Dan, son-in-law Ed, daughter-in-law Lorraine, grandchildren Ruby, Lily, Teddy and George, sister Deirdre and brother Eamon. Partner Brendan is away.

Since I came here in 2007, she has looked after me and everybody we have brought in here with special care. She makes every occasion an occasion. She has served under nine taoisigh and treated each one of them the same as she treats all Members. There are lots of jokes and she is not one to point out how people are doing but she has a great sense of humour. We will miss her when she is gone from us here as she heads off for happy retirement. She must make sure to visit us loads - she does not have to do any more of the cooking. We really enjoyed all our time with her when she wandered around the self-service restaurant or the Members’ dining room and made great conversation and great friends. I thank her for all her service down through the years. That deserves a big round of applause.

Far be it from me to give anyone life advice but in Kenmare when three brothers who had been running the bakery for 49 years retired, they put a lovely handwritten note on the window thanking all their customers, friends and neighbours and everyone in the town for their service to the bakery and support down through the years. They wrote on the note, “Now we must learn the art of how to spend time without spending money”. When Julie learns that art, will she come back and tell us all? I thank her very much for all her service to Leinster House down through the years. We really appreciate it.

Anois, Senator Maria Byrne.