Fograím don Seanad go bhfuair me teachtaireacht ón Seanadóir Tomás Mac Gearailt go bhfuil sé ag éirí as bheith ina Chomhalta den Seanad.
I announce to the Seanad that I have received notice in writing from Senator Tom Fitzgerald of his resignation from the House. When Senator Fitzgerald told me a few days ago that he was stepping down from the Seanad for health reasons, I felt a great sadness. Nobody was more aware than I of how much a part of Senator Fitzgerald's life was his membership of this House. He enjoyed every minute of his time here and until a few weeks ago he was looking forward to contesting the next Seanad election. He was a totally committed and dedicated Senator. His contributions to debates were always well informed and laced with common sense, never more so than when he spoke on matters pertaining to the marine.
As Government Chief Whip, Senator Fitzgerald made an outstanding contribution to this Seanad. His good humour, patience and understanding and above all his absolute integrity gained for him the respect, loyalty and affection of Members on all sides of the House. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude. On my own behalf and on behalf of the entire staff of the Seanad and, I am sure, on behalf of all of you, I thank Senator Fitzgerald for his contribution over the years and wish him well. I am aware of how difficult his decision must have been. I sincerely trust that the excellent medical care he continues to receive will in due course see him restored to full health. Gura fada buan thú, Tom.
As this may be the last sitting of the Seanad before the general election, I wish to say that it has been a great honour and privilege for me to have served as Cathaoirleach over the past four and a half years. I express my sincere thanks to all of you for your co-operation, support and assistance over those years. I wish those of you who are seeking election to the other House good luck and every success.
I expect that I will have a further opportunity to extend good wishes to all those Senators who will in due course be seeking re-election to this House or who will be retiring, as I will be, from active service. When that opportunity comes, I will also pay a well-deserved tribute to all the staff of the Seanad. However, today I acknowledge my admiration for and appreciation of the professionalism and dedication of the Clerk and Assistant Clerk and I thank them for their huge contribution to the efficient working of this Seanad. I will say more about that on another day. I now call on the Leader of the House and the other leaders as I know they wish, on behalf of their respective groups, to pay tribute to Senator Fitzgerald.