I wish to say a few brief words of appreciation to Paddy Cullagh on his retirement. He has given 28 years of remarkable service to the House. I believe his easy disposition and friendly and helpful attitude was appreciated by all parties. We should recognise his long years of service by saying, "Thanks for a job well done".
Retirement of Staff Member: Statements.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
I should like to join the Taoiseach in paying tribute to Paddy Cullagh, the son of Tipperary who is retiring from the House. Paddy Cullagh was well known around the House for the quality of his horse racing tips, although I think that even he would not have foreseen what happened last Saturday.
I endorse what has been said and should like to add to the tribute that has been paid by saying that Mr. Paddy Cullagh was a good and gracious person on the staff of this House. He was exceedingly helpful to us all, especially when we came to Leinster House as newly elected Members and did not know our way around the House. He has been a particularly helpful, kind and gracious member of the staff. On behalf of my party, I wish Paddy Cullagh a long, very happy and very sporty retirement. I hope that he will continue to feed in the tips, especially to the Tipperary people and especially when Cork and Tipperary find themselves in a head and head encounter — and I hope that he shall not lead the Cork people astray on such occasions.
It is not often that we have a chance in the House to say some kind words about the staff of the House. I am pleased to be associated with the kind remarks made with regard to Paddy Cullagh and the service he has rendered this House and Members of the House. I daresay that Paddy Cullagh would be the second most notable Tipperary man here, second only to yourself, a Cheann Comhairle.
Seldom would I agree with Deputy De Rossa, but this is one occasion on which I do. On behalf of all Tipperary people who are not leaving Leinster House, I pay equal tribute to Paddy Cullagh. I hope that he enjoys his retirement back in Ballycahill, where he could lose a bullock when the grass is at full growth.
As a fellow Tipperary man and on behalf of the Labour Party Members of the House, I join the tributes paid to Paddy Cullagh. Paddy never allowed his county allegiance to interfere with his work in the House, but he was always a source of tickets for us when the GAA could not provide them.
I hope I may be permitted to join you, colleagues, in this tribute to outstanding service on the part of Paddy, a fellow Tipperary man.