Tá tagtha againn go dheireadh an ghnó agus ar son lucht an tSeanaid ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá mar gheall ar an gCathaoirleach má bhíonn cead agam.
Now that we have finished the business of the day, I should like with your permission, a Chathaoirleach, since I understand that you are not resuming your chairmanship of the Seanad, on behalf of all the Members of the Seanad here who served under your chairmanship in the past for many years in which you added dignity to the position, to express our gratification, first of all, at the fact that we had such an excellent Chairman; secondly, our deep regret that you are not any longer going to act in that capacity; and, thirdly, to wish you agus Bean Uí Bhuachalla happy days and every good wish that we can think of. We realise that it was an onerous position to occupy the Chair of the Seanad during those years in which you did so ably and efficiently, and I am sure that there is not a Member of this House who would not join me in saying that even handed justice was meted out to us all, and if we did on occasions feel the heavy hand, as I did myself on a few occasions for transgressing the rules, we realised that you were carrying out the Standing Orders of the Seanad of which you were guardian and custodian. We accepted it in the proper way in which decisions of that nature should be accepted. We are very happy, indeed, that we had your services as Chairman here for so long. As I say, every Member of the House will regret your departure from the House and hope that you will not entirely sever your connection with Leinster House where you personally either as a Member or in your capacity as Chairman so well and truly helped all of those who had the happiness and pleasure of making your acquaintance.
Go n-éirí go geal leat agus go n-éirí an t-adh leat san am atá le teacht.
