Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Dec 1972

Vol. 73 No. 17

Cathaoirleach of Seanad.

An Cathaoirleach

Ós rud é gurb í seo an uair dheireanach a bheas mé i mo shuí anseo mar Chathaoirleach, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil lena Seanadóirí uilig ar an dhá thaoibh an Tí as ucht an chabhair agus an comhoibriú a thugadar dhom fhad is a bhíos sa Chathaoir. Tá mé fíor-bhuíoch dóibh go léir. Mar focal scoir ba mhaith liom Nollaig fé shéan agus fé shona a ghabháil le gach Seanadóir agus le h-oifigí an Tí.

Since this is the last occasion on which I will be presiding as Cathaoirleach at a meeting of the Seanad, I should like to thank all Senators for the most generous and helpful way in which they have co-operated with the Chair during the past three years. I am most grateful for their help which has done so much to ensure the smooth running of the business of the Seanad. I have complete confidence that the same co-operation will be given to my successor in the Chair.

As a final word, I wish all Senators and the officers of the House a happy and prosperous Christmas and New Year.

Tomás Ó Maoláin

As Leader of the House, may I, on behalf of Senators, reciprocate the good wishes. I also wish to extend to you the appreciation of Members of Seanad Éireann for your excellent conduct as Cathaoirleach of this Seanad and to convey our satisfaction that in leaving the Chair, you are not leaving the service of the House.

Senators

Hear, hear.

Mr. McDonald

Could I, on behalf of my party, join with the Leader of the House in the sentiments expressed by him and to say that we appreciated very much your impartial rulings during your term. It was certainly a pleasure to serve with you in the Seanad and we hope that you will find in your new appointment even increased scope and that you will continue to make a good contribution in your new role.

Mr. J. Fitzgerald

I should like to join with Senator Ó Maoláin and Senator McDonald in paying tribute to you as Cathaoirleach, and to wish you very, very well in your new appointment as delegate to Europe. You certainly set a very high standard as Cathaoirleach and, as a member of the Opposition, I wish to put on record that I consider you to have been brilliant in your position. You were very, very fair to everybody and I regret that this is the last time that you will be appearing as Cathaoirleach. You have set a very high standard which your successor will find it difficult to sustain. Whoever he is, I wish him well but I should not like to be in his position and I certainly appreciate very, very much the way in which you have carried out your duties as Cathaoirleach during your time in office.

Mr. Horgan

I do not presume to speak on behalf of the Independents, but on my behalf I wish to echo the words that have been said. I can think of few better qualified people to send to Europe and I look forward with real enthusiasm to reports of what I hope will be your extensive contributions in that House, and indeed in this, in the years to come.

Dr. West

As another Independent, speaking entirely on my own behalf, I am sure that all the other Independents would join with me in extending to you our very best wishes for your European parliamentary work, and thanking you for your efforts as Cathaoirleach in this House. We feel that you have been impartial although we have not always agreed with your rulings. You have always done your best to ensure that this House works smoothly and efficiently. I know that all the Independents wish you every success and are glad that you will still be a Member of this House.

Mr. Boland

As the only Senator left on this side of the House, I would like to join with the other speakers in wishing you well in Europe and in congratulating you on your impartiality here. We might appropriately wish that when you go to Europe, you will find some peace there, and that the peace you helped to instil into the proceedings in this House may be maintained by your successor.

An Cathaoirleach

I thank Senators for their kind words.

The Seanad adjourned at 1.40 p.m. until Wednesday, 3rd January, 1973.