Vol. 163 No. 14
I have to announce that the following Members have been elected to fill the casual vacancies in the membership of the Seanad to which the resolution of Seanad Éireann on 20 April 2000 has reference:
Industrial and Commercial Panel, Oireachtas Sub-Panel: Jim Glennon.
Agricultural Panel, Oireachtas Sub-Panel: Seán Ó Fearghail.
Senators Glennon and Ó Fearghail were introduced to the Cathaoirleach and then took their seats.
On behalf of Fianna Fáil, and as Leader of Seanad Éireann, it is a great honour and pleasure to welcome two new Senators.
Senator Jim Glennon's family has a history in local affairs and politics for many years in north County Dublin and Skerries. I also welcome the Senator as a distinguished sportsman who has achieved great success. In becoming a Member of this House he brings great honour to his family, to Skerries and to north County Dublin and we look forward to his contributions on behalf of his people, his party and his constituency.
Senator Seán Ó Fearghail from south County Kildare is no stranger to Members of Seanad Éireann. He has been a most courteous, decent and hard working local authority member for many years and has been helpful to all Members in the processing of legislation. The Senator has worked tirelessly on Kildare County Council and I wish him well. He brings great honour to his wife, his family, his parish and the people of Kildare who will be proud they have another voice in the House, in addition to that of Senator Dardis.
On behalf of all Members, I wholeheartedly welcome the Senators and look forward to their contributions on legislation over the coming years.
I join the Leader in welcoming Senators Glennon and Ó Fearghail. On behalf of Fine Gael I offer them our heartiest and warmest congratulations on their election last week. Senator Ó Fearghail is already a public representative. I do not think Senator Glennon is a public representative but I may be corrected on that point. It is always a great honour to be elected to the Oireachtas and to be part of the law-making body of one's country. Whether one's career goes up or down afterwards, it is always a memory to be treasured and of which to be proud. I wish the Senators every success and good luck. May they have many long and happy years in the House.
On behalf of the Independent Senators I welcome Senators Glennon and Ó Fearghail to the House. Their election was a great surprise as we knew the contest was going to be hard fought. However, we are pleased to have them in the House and I am sure they will greatly assist their colleagues on the Government side.
On behalf of the Labour Party I wish to be associated with the words of welcome expressed and to congratulate the Senators on their election. Senator Glennon was a distinguished sportsman who played for Ireland. Senator Ó Fearghail is a distinguished local politician. I am sure they will make their mark in this House and in national politics. I wish them well.
I join the leaders in welcoming Senators Ó Fearghail and Glennon. I have known Senator Ó Fearghail for a long time as we share the same local electoral area in Kildare County Council. The Senator is a hard working and effective county councillor. He is leader of the Fianna Fáil group on the council, has been a distinguished chairman of the council and is one of the best councillors. The elections are in the past and I wish him well and assure him of my co-operation, and that of other Members, in his efforts in the House.
I also welcome Senator Glennon. The Senator and I rubbed shoulders in the past when I had the whistle and he was in the second row. If he can look after himself nearly as well in here as he did in the Irish second row, he will be very well qualified. I would not accuse him of indulging in off the ball tactics. He would not do that. We are pleased to see him here. It is a proud day for the newly elected Senators and we wish them well.
I thank everybody involved, including the returning officer and her staff, for the most efficient manner in which they conducted affairs on Friday night at the count. I also thank my Leader, Senator Cassidy, and all his colleagues for the tremendous support they gave me.
I come into politics at a time when there is a degree of cynicism about it generally and its various institutions. All I can say to the House on my first day is that I will strive my utmost to work with colleagues on all sides to uphold the fine traditions of democracy in this country, which are under attack from all sides at present. I look forward to working with the Chair and other Members of the House.
Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, ag Ceannaire an tSeanaid agus ag an Leas-Cheannaire as uch an fháiltithe fíor, fial, croíúil atá tugtha dom.
Having spent a fairly long apprenticeship in local government over the past 15 years, it is a particular privilege to have been elected by my colleagues to serve a tenure of office in Seanad Éireann. I very much look forward to the time I will spend here working with colleagues on all sides of the House.
I have a particular memory at this moment of the late Senator Paddy McGowan whose passing created the vacancy I was elected to fill. Today I think of him in particular and members of his family.
