Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call on the Leader to propose the Order of Business, it would be fitting to mark the fact that for the next year or so we will be sitting in a location other than the Chamber in Leinster House that has been home to Seanad Éireann for the last 90 years. Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh gach duine atá i láthair anseo inniu – Seanadóirí, aíonna agus cuairteoirí – chun an ócáid seo a cheiliúradh. Ócáid fhíorstairiúil atá ann, an Seanad a bheith ag tionól in Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann den chéad uair le beagnach céad bliain. Is iontach an obair atá déanta anseo ag Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí i rith an tsamhraidh chun an seomra sealadach seo a ullmhú dúinn. Ar son gach comhalta den Seanad, ba mhaith liom ár mbuíochas a ghabháil le hOifig na nOibreacha Poiblí agus, go háirithe, le bord agus stiúrthóir an Mhúsaeim agus leis a bhfoireann freisin as bheith chomh comhoibritheach sin leis an scéim.

Following the establishment of the Seanad under the Free State Constitution in 1922, the search began for a suitable permanent home for the Houses of the Oireachtas. While options such as the old parliament building in College Green, the Mansion House, Dublin Castle and Leinster House were being examined, the Seanad was hosted by the National Museum in the room immediately below this one. Leinster House was, of course, ultimately chosen as the permanent location and the Houses of the Oireachtas and the National Museum have been good neighbours since.

Almost a century later, the National Museum has again facilitated the temporary relocation of the Seanad. I speak on behalf of all Senators and for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission when I express our appreciation for the co-operation we received from the National Museum and, in particular, its staff in our recent search for suitable premises. I recognise the sacrifice the National Museum made in vacating this room and the adjacent ante-room but I am confident that when the Seanad moves back to Leinster House, the National Museum will enjoy the benefit of the transformation that has been brought about here by the Office of Public Works.

I would like to pay tribute to certain people not present today, the chair of the board of the museum, Catherine Heaney, and the director, Raghnall Ó Floinn, for their co-operation and help during our move. I would also like to welcome to the Gallery the Ceann Comhairle and Chair of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl. The Ceann Comhairle played a central role in bringing about mutual understanding between the Houses and the National Museum and in finding practical and mutually satisfactory solutions to the legitimate concerns that were raised with us.Also present is the Clerk of the Dáil and Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service, Mr. Peter Finnegan, whose contribution to the process has also been invaluable.

The Office of Public Works has a proud record of excellence in its management of the historic buildings which have been entrusted to it. Its commitment to maintaining the highest standards is evident in this Chamber which combines, in optimum balance, functionality, aesthetics and sensitivity to the historic fabric of the building. It has done a magnificent job, for which I thank the chairman of the commission and his staff. It is represented by the architect Ms Hilary Vandenberghe whose oversight of the transformation must be commended.

Thanks are also due to the Superintendent of the Houses and his staff in the facilities management unit, most notably Mr. Michael O’Brien and Ms Siobhán Malone who co-ordinated the work all summer long to ensure the Chamber would be ready for today.

I thank the specialist contractors which also worked tirelessly all summer long on the design and preparation of the Chamber.

It is important to recall that the decision to relocate the Seanad Chamber was not taken lightly. The sole reason for the temporary relocation was to make way for the essential and extensive renovation of Leinster House, a building of great historic significance which is almost three centuries old. It must be properly maintained if it is to remain a safe and serviceable workplace into the future and we are to fulfil our duty to preserve one of our great public buildings for generations to come. We should always remember and value the fact that this is one of the oldest uninterrupted democracies in the world. The proper functioning of our democratic processes requires adequate space in which to conduct parliamentary business. The provision of this Chamber will ensure that we, in Seanad Éireann, can continue to fulfil our mandate under the Constitution until the work in Leinster House is complete.