John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to follow the Leader of the House, Senator Doherty, and second the nomination of my friend and colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. My family's connection with Senator O'Reilly goes back to many years before I was even born. It started in 1980 when my dad first started to go out with my mam. They used to meet in a pub called Beagans in Seatown in Dundalk. Back then, a young Joe O'Reilly used to travel from Bailieborough over cross-country roads to Dundalk to meet his future wife, Mary. It gives me great pleasure as a Member of Seanad Éireann, 40 years later, to propose Senator O'Reilly for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Joe was first elected to Cavan County Council in 1985 and he was then elected to the Seanad in 1989 on the cultural and educational panel. I say with the greatest of fondness and respect that Joe ended up in the most unenviable position in which any Senator would ever want to find themselves. In 1993, he was beaten on the inside-outside rule. On the first count in the Seanad elections in 1993, he scored 76 votes while his Fine Gael colleague, Maurice Manning, scored 60 votes. However, Maurice was on the inside and Joe was on the outside and despite Joe having 127 votes to Maurice's 86 at the final count, Joe was beaten on the inside-outside rule.

I am thankful to say that, 14 years later, Joe found himself back in the Oireachtas after achieving 10,000 votes in the general election of 2007, the highest of any unelected candidate in the country.He then returned to what I would hope he calls his natural home, Seanad Éireann. After five years in Dáil Éireann between 2011 and 2016, which I would refer to as his wilderness years in the Lower House away from his natural home of Seanad Éireann, he found his way back here to all of us in 2016. I believe I speak for all of my newer Fine Gael colleagues in the Seanad when I say that the Senator is something of an elder statesman for us. He is always there to provide a listening ear and to give us advice about the inner workings of the House and how we, as new Senators, can navigate the issues of the day. His renowned wit and ability to get along with colleagues of all political persuasions and none is a testament to his character and to his likeability. It is, perhaps, one of the key reasons he is held in such high regard by so many of us in this House.

To wrap up, I will acknowledge a career of 35 years of public service. We are all public servants in this House. A career of 35 years cannot be achieved without the support of a loving family. While today is a wonderful day for the Senator personally, it is also a wonderful day for his family - his wife, Mary, and his sons, Eoghan, Alexius and Daire. Today is their day as much as the Senator's. It is an absolute honour to second the nomination of Senator Joe O'Reilly for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.