Ón tráth deiridh a shuigh an Seanad, d'éirigh Mr. John McGowan Smyth as a phost mar Chléireach don Seanad le dul i mbun poist ar fhoireann Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus tá a fhios agam gur mhaith le Seanadóirí é a mholadh as ucht a sheirbhísí iomaí don Teach seo.
Mr. Smyth served as Clerk of the House since 1958 and, before that, in different capacities on the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas. During all his service, and particularly as Clerk of this House, his deep knowledge on matters pertaining to our parliamentary procedures and his clarity of mind in expounding these procedures have been made manifest. To me, since I became Cathaoirleach, his services have been quite invaluable. I am sure that there are few Senators who have not had to avail themselves of his generous and courteous assistance in the discharge of their parliamentary duties. All will have benefited from the efficiency which has marked the indispensable practical arrangements for sittings of the House. His leaving the service of the Seanad does not deprive us of his expert knowledge since he has made much of it available in two publications which will continue to be of great assistance to us.
Ba mhaith liom, maidir liom féin agus thar bhur gceann, ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl agus bua agus sonas a ghuí leis i mbun na bhfadhbanna a rachaidh leis an bpost ró-thabhachtach atá aige san Eoraip.
