The next business under Standing Orders is the election of the Cathaoirleach. Under Standing Order 2, the Chair will be taken by Senator David Norris, the Senator with the longest continuous period of service in the House. He was elected on 14 April 1987 and has served continuously since. I call on him to take the Chair.
Election of Cathaoirleach
Clerk Assistant of the Seanad
Senator David Norris took the Chair.
Ladies and gentlemen and fellow Senators, it is, first, my great pleasure and honour to welcome you to this magnificent Chamber. It is a privilege to work in a place of such aesthetic beauty and I hope it will not be too long before the necessary repairs are completed and that Seanad Éireann can return permanently to its proper home. When I was elected some 30 years ago, this room was also closed for refurbishment and for the first term, we met in the ante chamber. However, I managed to sneak in and examine the ceiling which I at once identified as the work of the master stuccadore of the 18th century, Michael Stapleton. The entire central section and the apse were unstable and had to be replaced. It amuses me sometimes when I hear visitors to Leinster House look up at Stapleton’s great ceiling and say, "Ah Jaysus, they could do great work in them days but they couldn’t do it now. They don’t have the talent." I then explain to them that one third of the ceiling is a completely modern reinstatement and that even I could not tell the difference; therefore, Ireland most definitely still has the talent.
That talent, politically expressed, is to be found today in the Members of Seanad Éireann. There is, of course, criticism of some of the methods of election and selection by which Members arrive in the House but very few would deny the ability and capacity of virtually all Members. I might, however, be forgiven a degree of amusement at the presence of a number of new or former Members who campaigned vigorously for the abolition of the very House in which they now sit. To show how complex political life is, despite their dismissive attitude, I recognised their genuine contribution to public life and voted for some of them.
In addition to welcoming the new Senators, there is also a sense of loss in the absence of some valued individuals who, sadly, were unsuccessful in the recent election. I think, in particular, of Maurice Cummins and Dr. Sean Barrett. Maurice Cummins was certainly the best Leader I had encountered in a long career as a Senator. It is a sidelight on the exigencies of the political system that it so signally failed to recognise his qualities, despite his sterling record perhaps but because of his loyalty to this House when his party tried to suppress it. No attempt was made by Fine Gael to come to his aid.
My colleague, Dr. Sean Barrett, was unequivocally the best Member of the Seanad. Many amendments in his name were successfully passed. He introduced a number of excellent legislative proposals and was an important and diligent member of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis. Moreover, I understand he was also frequently consulted by the Government on economic matters. It was a travesty that such a man should lose his seat and an indication that the public remained largely unaware of the valuable work done by Senators.
In the period of the last Oireachtas, two major referenda were fought - one on marriage equality and the other on the abolition of the Seanad. The move towards marriage equality started in this House with the Civil Partnership Bill 2004, something of which Seanad Éireann can feel legitimately proud.
In the debates on abolition, I was appalled that so many Senators, on orders from party headquarters, actually voted for the destruction of their own House. I said at the time that they were not just turkeys voting for Christmas but also turkeys who had obligingly rolled over and then trussed, stuffed and eviscerated themselves. With three weeks to go, we were losing the referendum according to the opinion polls. I discharged myself from hospital and together with the former Senators Dr. Seán Barrett and Professor John Crown turned it around just in time. Night after night Professor John Crown eviscerated Cabinet Ministers on Radio Éireann. Dr. Sean Barrett marshalled meetings in every university in the Republic. I appeared on the "Ray D’Arcy Show", as well as all of the provincial radio stations and commanded a national Twitter campaign. In the end, we prevailed. The Taoiseach admitted to taking a knock and in Dublin Castle Yard promised reform, but nothing is happening. There is already in existence a Dáil reform committee but, as yet, no sign of a Seanad reform committee. I hereby call on the Taoiseach to include reform of the Seanad in the remit of the committee. There is virtually unanimous agreement that reform is necessary, but will we get it? The party system has the Seanad in thrall and it is highly unusual for political parties to yield power. According to the Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, as reported in The Irish Times on Saturday, 7 May:
First of all, the Oireachtas needs to be freed from the absolute control which government currently has on its work. Few parts of the Constitution are ignored as much as article 28.4.1 which states that: "The Government shall be responsible to Dáil Éireann". In practice the Taoiseach and his Ministers exert near total control over the Dáil.
In the Senead the control is not just total; it is, in fact, complete. A proper reform of the Seanad requires visionary imagination, yet how can anyone defend a system under which at the last by-election some months ago a seat in the national Parliament was won with a total electorate of a mere 200 votes. We hear a great deal of talk these days about new politics, but as a long-time observer of the political scene, I can only say I see little sign of this. Instead we have the indecent spectacle of individuals and parties jockeying for political or personal advantage under the guise of the national interest. The only targets so far for reform have been in the case of the university constituencies. It is proposed that the existing constituencies of Dublin University - Trinity College Dublin - and the National University of Ireland be abolished in favour of one single third level super-constituency of six seats.
That would mean the end of Trinity College Dublin representation in the Seanad. Dublin University has a proud record of being represented in the Irish Parliament in an unbroken line since the 17th century and I believe its representatives, from Dr. Noel Browne to Owen Sheehy-Skeffington, Professor W. B. Stanford, Mary Henry and Mary Robinson, have done the State some service. Moreover, part of the inspiration for the establishment of the Seanad came from the Provost of Trinity College Dublin at the time. Were the Government’s proposals to be accepted, it would lead to a constituency of 850,000 to 1 million voters, thus eliminating the independent voice and leaving the way open to invasion by the political parties. The ludicrous nature of this scheme is further exposed by the fact that it would leave the 43 panel seats with 1,000 voters and the Taoiseach’s 11 nominees with one vote. The whole nature of the Taoiseach’s 11 nominees is repulsive to democracy and renders the Seanad, at base, a political arena.
In the weeks since the general election the fact that the positions of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach have already been decided and commented on in the media opens up the democratic system to ridicule. The positions of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach should be decided in a free and secret ballot of the whole House. There is widespread clamour for a system of "one person, one vote", as is already the case in the university constituencies. A great deal would be achieved in the way of democracy if the nominating bodies for the panels were to be revised and brought into the 21st century and a vote given to their ordinary membership. We would then have something for which Deputy Micheál Martin has called, "an independent and professional chamber".
The purpose of the Seanad is not to defeat the Government but to advise it. There is also a lot to be done in revising the Standing Orders of the Seanad. For example, while Standing Order 30 provides for the raising of a matter of national importance during the day's business, this is something that is virtually never allowed. I remember raising the matter of an ESB strike, but it was held by the then Cathaoirleach not to be of national importance, while simultaneously in the other House, the then Taoiseach, Mr. Charles J. Haughey, was declaring it a national emergency. The Cathaoirleach should as a matter of course be required to give the reasons for his or her decision.
In addition, on matters of conscience, Members should be allowed a free vote in the Seanad. I found it regrettable when Members of this House were expelled from their party for openly expressing their view on abortion, albeit one with which I did not agree.
A great deal of legislation has been passed by the House, some of which derived from non-Government sources, but such Bills are routinely left hanging after the passage of Second Stage. In the future they should automatically be referred to the appropriate committee for further examination.
It may seem to Members that I have taken a strong line in defence of the idea that the Seanad, if it is to perform its proper function, very badly needs revision and reform. I make no apology for this. I am not known for concealing my ideas, even when they are controversial, and believe that if the Seanad is to survive and perform its function in the interests of the people, the matter of its reform must be urgently addressed. I very much hope all Members will give careful thought to this matter and express their opinions clearly and courageously in what will be the most important debate ever to take place in this House.
I have pleasure in welcoming every Member, congratulating them and their families on their election and wishing them a happy and productive period in Seanad Éireann, however long or short that may be.
I will now accept a proposer and a seconder-----
A Chathaoirligh-----
The Senator is very quick on his feet. I have not finished speaking yet. I will accept a proposer and a seconder for any Member nominated for election as Cathaoirleach. The first Member on his feet was Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.
Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Seanadóir David Norris as ucht na mblianta fada seirbhíse atá tugtha aige agus as ucht an job atá á dhéanamh aige sa chathaoir i láthair na huaire. Faraor, níl mé chun é féin a ainmniú do Chathaoirleach an tréimhse seo, ach b'fhéidir am éigin eile. Is lá an-stairiúil é agus ag breathnú timpeall ar an áit seo inniu, tá cuid mhaith daoine anseo atá thar a bheith cumasach agus a bheadh breá ábalta an post mar Chathaoirleach a ghlacadh.
Looking around the Chamber, I see many faces and competent people who could be nominated for the position of Cathaoirleach. It is incumbent on us to recognise the role played by the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke. Apart from the few times when he used his casting vote to vote with the Government, his impartiality was impeccable and he always gave us a very fair hearing. I hope the new Cathaoirleach will do the same. It is very important that we do not dance to the media tune which would lead us to believe everything has already been decided. Given that the Seanad is sitting and no vote has been taken, it is up to the Members to decide who should be Cathaoirleach. We are told there is an agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, which would lead us to believe we may have a "Fianna Gael" coalition for however long we will be here. I hope that is not the case, as it would not be to the benefit of the Seanad.
I nominate my colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh, for the position of Cathaoirleach. It would be an important decision on the part of the Seanad to put a woman in the Chair. I have known Senator Rose Conway-Walsh for a very long time. She has been an impeccable councillor. She is very fair minded and will listen to everybody's point of view. She had wonderful experience in Mayo County Council, where she had to adjudicate in many battles. Senator Paddy Burke has shown that the people from County Mayo have particular mettle when it comes to sitting in such a position. Senator Rose Conway-Walsh also has extensive experience in the community development sector working in her local community in Belmullet.
Tá mé cinnte gurb í an bhean is feiliúnaí don phost. Tá an-onóir orm go bhfuil mé in ann í a ainmniú inniu don phost mar Chathaoirleach. Tá súil agam go dtabharfaidh daoine ó gach taobh den Teach tacaíocht di le cinntiú nach bhfuil an móramh - Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael - ag rialú gach rud a tharlaíonn sa Teach seo. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtabharfaí aitheantas do na grúpaí eile atá anseo: na Neamhspleáigh, lucht na hollscoile, na páirtíthe beaga ar nós Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, muid féin i Sinn Féin agus mar sin de. Tá sé fíor-thábhachtach go dtaispeánfar inniu go bhfuilimid chun seasamh suas, go mbeidh an Seanad seo difriúil agus go mbeimid ag déanamh gnóthaí ar bhealach atá an-difriúil ón mbealach a bhí sé á dhéanamh go dtí seo.
I will wait until the single hand stops applauding. Is there a seconder for the nomination?
Cuireann sé gliondar ar mo chroí tacú leis an mholadh atá déanta ag an Seanadóir Trevor Ó Clochartaigh maidir le hainmniú Rose Conway-Walsh mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad. I support Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh's nomination of Senator Rose Conway-Walsh. I do so very proudly as a Northern voice in this institution. Senator David Norris, in his impassioned contribution, referred to the reform of this institution. The most glaringly obvious reform required is the need to give voice to Irish citizens across the country, thereby making it a truly national Parliament. The greatest anomaly for me is that while I can be elected to this institution and speak here, I cannot vote in the election of its Members, nor can my family, friends or neighbours back home in Belfast. I hope, as we progress, that we will look on this institution on a national basis and that we will take on the interests and concerns of citizens across all 32 counties.
As a proud Northern voice, I second the nomination of a very proud, dedicated and committed western voice to take on the role of Cathaoirleach. It is vital for the running of this institution that we have somebody who can garner the support of all Members. It is also vitally important for public confidence, as we steer through some of the more choppy waters to which Senator David Norris referred, that we have a Cathaoirleach who does not come from Fine Gael or those who sustain that party in government in Fianna Fáil.
I am delighted to second the nomination of Senator Rose Conway-Walsh.
I thank Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile. It is a little parochial of me, but I point out that the university constituencies accept voters from Northern Ireland.
Therefore, it can be done.
On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I congratulate Senator David Norris on his standing as father of the House and his long and distinguished service in the Seanad. I was very pleased to see him elected to Seanad Éireann again.
Today, I have the great honour as Fianna Fáil leader in the House to propose Senator Denis O'Donovan for the position of Cathaoirleach. The position must be filled by a person with the highest levels of integrity, professionalism and fairness and, above all, by a person who respects the democratic mandate on all sides of the House. Senator Denis O'Donovan is such a person and, if elected, will bring a wealth of experience to the role. He was elected to Cork County Council in 1985 and chairman from 1989 to 1990. He first took office in Seanad Éireann in 1989. During his career he has served on numerous committees and chaired the all-party Committee on the Constitution during his time as a Member of Dáil Éireann from 2002 to 2007. Under his stewardship, the committee made considerable progress in a number of important areas, including paving the way for the civil partnership Bill and a referendum on the rights of the child. More recently, he served as Leas-Chathaoirleach in the Twenty-fourth Seanad and I have no doubt his experience as Leas-Chathaoirleach will only enhance his performance as Cathaoirleach should he be elected.
As some Members may know, Senator Denis O'Donovan is one of 11 children from the Sheep's Head Peninsula in west Cork. While many of his siblings emigrated, he was able to take advantage of the system of free education introduced at the time and attend college. He studied law in UCC and was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1978. He enjoys the support of his partner, Eileen, and his four children Naomi, Luke, Gerard and Donnachada, all of whom live in Ireland. I have no doubt that, if elected, he will carry out the duties of Cathaoirleach efficiently and with professionalism, integrity and, most of all, fairness. For these reasons, I have great pleasure in proposing him for the position of Cathaoirleach of the Twenty-fifth Seanad.
I thank the Senator. After that elegant and eloquent speech, Fianna Fáil is in good hands in the House. I also recognise the distinguished presence of the former leader of Fianna Fáil in the House, Senator Darragh O'Brien.
I congratulate Senator David Norris on taking the Chair and refereeing this part of the occasion, his re-election and long service. He championed causes when they were not popular and saw them through.
It is a great honour for me to second the nomination of Senator Denis O'Donovan to be Cathaoirleach of the Twenty-fifth Seanad. As a Kerryman, it is always an honour to support people from County Cork, in everything except football. I hope he will earn the position today because of his tireless work for his community, devotion to his constituency and service to his country. He has earned it because of his great determination and relentless effort in public service. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth; he was born on the isolated Sheep's Head Peninsula, one of 11 children, eight of whom emigrated to the United States. Given the fact many of his family are in the United States, I suggest that if he takes the Chair, he might invite the Vice President to address us in the House when he visits Ireland.
At the age of 17 years, Denis emigrated to London where he worked on building sites to help to pay his way through college. In 1976 tragedy struck the family when his father, Tommy, passed away. As well as using his earnings from the building sites in London to pay his way through college, he also used them to support his mother, Mary. He qualified as a solicitor and set up a successful practice in Bantry with his business partner, Flor Murphy. At the age of 30 years, he was elected to Cork County Council and served in that august body on three occasions. Having first been elected to office half a lifetime ago, it has been a great journey for him to be here today for this occasion and arrive at this moment.
It shows his determination and grit that he ran for Dáil Éireann on five occasions before being elected in 2002. That says much about his character and devotion and it says more than any word of mine could ever do. He has served in the Seanad on more than five occasions. As many of us know, this is one of the most difficult elections in any democracy in the world. In Leinster House he has represented the farming community but especially the fishing community because of his love of the sea and having lived by it for so long. His great recreational pastime is mackerel fishing. If one cannot get him on the telephone, it is probably because he has literally gone fishing.
One of Senator Denis O'Donovan's greatest achievements was his chairing of the committee on the Constitution in 2002. He identified the fact that the rights of the child were not adequately protected within the Constitution. That ultimately led to the 31st amendment of Bunreacht na hÉireann. John F. Kennedy said everybody could make a difference and that everyone must try. Most certainly, Senator Denis O'Donovan has made that difference.
Politics and politicians have many critics. I am still waiting for those critics to come up with the alternatives. Public representatives, as we all know, have been targeted for criticism, often unfairly. We have often been on the receiving end of that criticism ourselves. As we start a new Seanad and elect a new Cathaoirleach, we might reflect on the words of another public representative, former US President Theodore Roosevelt, who had some words of wisdom on that topic. It is called "the man in the arena":
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Senator Denis O'Donovan has shown great enthusiasm and devotion. If he has failed, it is only because he has failed while daring greatly. This day is rare in the life of a public representative. It is one on which one among us actually knows that feeling of the triumph of high achievement. The Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann is one of the few positions mentioned in our most important legal document, Bunreacht na hÉireann. The post of Cathaoirleach is one of the highest in this republic and on the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of that republic it makes the position all the more special. This is a great day for Denis and also his family. As we all know, families sacrifice so much because their loved ones have to give so much time in public service, leaving little time for family. It is a special day for the family, friends, relations and supporters. They have been with Denis on days when the failures came, despite their best efforts, but they are here today on his day of high achievement.
Senator Denis O'Donovan is perfectly suited to be the Cathaoirleach because he served as Leas-Chathaoirleach in the last Seanad. His door has always been open to everybody, regardless of his or her political persuasion, just as his door has always been open in his constituency in west Cork. Having been the man in the arena, he is well suited to be the person who will chair this arena. It is my distinct honour and privilege to second the proposal that Senator Denis O'Donovan be nominated as Cathaoirleach of the Twenty-fifth Seanad.
Are there other nominations?
Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a dhéanamh le gach Seanadóir as a mbuanna sna toghcháin. Go mórmhór, cuirim fíor-fháilte roimh na tuismitheoirí, clanna agus cairde atá bailithe anseo inniu. Today, is lá iontach, lá spioraid agus lá samhraidh é. Táimid bailithe le chéile sa Seanad nua.
In welcoming friends, family and the new Senators today and thanking Senator David Norris for his stirring words, it would be remiss of me, as leader of the Fine Gael group in Seanad Éireann, not to pay tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke, for his sterling service in the last Seanad, the manner in which he dealt with the business of the House and way in which he represented all in the Oireachtas at home and abroad. On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, thank him, his wife, Dolores, and family for their immense work, dedication and commitment to public service.
In his remarks Senator David Norris rightly made reference to the outgoing Leader, Maurice Cummins. I pay tribute to him for the way in which he, as Leader of the House, operated and did business. I hope I can, in some small way, follow in his footsteps.
Today, the Fine Gael Party is happy to support Senator Denis O'Donovan for the position of Cathaoirleach. As outlined by Senators Mark Daly and Catherine Ardagh, he comes with vast experience, at both local and national level. I have got to know him on a personal level over my years in Seanad Éireann. I wish him well and look forward to working with him.
I am conscious that we are gathering for the first time as an elected second Chamber - the Upper House. I am conscious that we have the eyes of the nation on us. It is incumbent on all of us to be the voice of the people in a way that is open and transparent and, equally, that we carry out our work through the people, which means that we, collectively and collaboratively, work together to ensure we can bring about the reforms needed. I refer Senator David Norris and other Senators to the programme for Government, of which the Manning report is part. I am sure we will see movement on it in the next couple of weeks. It is important, if we are talking about new politics, that it means that we embrace what it is, that we cast aside the old ways and not seek to oppose for the sake of opposition. We should be conscious of Senator David Norris's words that the Seanad is not about defeating the Government but about advising and working with it.
As Leader of the Seanad, I look forward to working with all Members. I am sure I will, like many others, play a role in bringing through legislation and trying to effect change and make the country a better place. My party, as the party of Government, has never been afraid to do this. This is not a day for political speeches, however, but a day of celebration for new Senators. I welcome them to the House today and wish them well. I hope we will be here for five years, not just two. I hope we will together ensure the Upper House, this august Chamber, will shatter the expectations of so many and that we will tell the sceptics that we can do things better.
I thank the Senator. I give him my heartiest congratulations on being made Leader of the House. I was not sure that was official, but I heartily congratulate him. I remember him as a Senator in this House, when he was nearly as rambunctious as I was. I also remember his wonderful chairing of the health committee hearings in this Chamber into the matter of abortion and how magisterial that was. I look forward to working under him as Leader of the House.
I also did not mention it because he is out of my line the sight, but we have a great character in the House who is a former Leader and former Cathaoirleach, Mr. Donie Cassidy, who is most welcome.
As there is more than one proposal, I am required to deal with the nominations in the order in which they were made. The question on the first proposal is as follows: “That Senator Rose Conway-Walsh be elected and do now take the Chair of Seanad Éireann.” Is that agreed?
Senators
Agreed.
Senators
Not agreed.
It was agreed on one side, but there was dumbstruck silence on the other side of the House.
I heard a meek "Níl". I will not do what I am told, however, because I have noticed that Senator Ivana Bacik wishes to speak. I can allow her to do so.
I will speak briefly on behalf of the Labour Party group. I congratulate Senator David Norris on his status as father of the House. It has been my pleasure to serve with him as a Dublin University Senator for the past two terms and I look forward to serving with him this term. I echo his words about our former colleague, Dr. Sean Barrett, and welcome Senator Lynn Ruane, our new colleague from Dublin University. I pay tribute to the former Leader of the House, Maurice Cummins, whom we miss, and the former Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke. I congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer on his role as Leader of the House. I am sure we all look forward to working with him.
My party will support Senator Denis O'Donovan as Cathaoirleach of the House. The Labour Party group is in opposition, but, as Senator Jerry Buttimer stated, we do not believe in opposition for the sake of it. We will deal with issues on a case by case basis.
Senator Denis O'Donovan will make an excellent Cathaoirleach. I served with him on the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. He has been Leas-Chathaoirleach and others have spoken about his experience and the expertise he will bring to chairing this House. However, in keeping with the spirit of new politics - there might be a good deal of cynicism about it - we should look to have a secret ballot in the election of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach. I hope we will see this come about in the future as a part of a Seanad reform proposal.
I welcome all of the new Senators and their families, relatives and friends who are in the Chamber. It is a day for celebration and congratulations. I look forward to working with all Senators and genuinely bringing new politics alive. It could be an exciting, dynamic and active Seanad and I look forward to working with all Senators in the years, I hope, ahead in the Twenty-fifth Seanad.
I call Senator Victor Boyhan of the Independent group.
It is a great pleasure for all of us today, sitting here observing what is happening. We all have taken a long journey. We have come here with our own experiences, traditions, cultures and challenges and I agree that it is a day of celebration. I thank Senator DAvid Norris for his words which were, in some ways, provocative. However, many of them need to be examined. No doubt we have looked at them.
I will support Senator Denis O'Donovan. He is a man of exceptional talent when one looks at his contribution as a county councillor, a Deputy, a Senator and Leas-Chathaoirleach and, in particular, at his work which Senator David Norris mentioned. He also chaired the committee which considered the Judge Brian Curtin case. They were challenging and difficult times and they showed the parameters of Seanad Éireann and its potential.
It is extraordinary that of the 60 Members of the Twenty-fifth Seanad, 42 of us are new Members. Some have been here before in other capacities, but it is remarkable that 42 of the 60 Members from the island of Ireland are new to the House. That is remarkable and a challenge to us all to work together.
I congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer on his appointment. He is a man of great ability and very brave, courageous and imaginative. He is someone who will have the support not only of the House but also of Dáil Éireann and the public at large. There are challenges for us, but we can work together. It will need a strong, decisive and fair Cathaoirleach.
More importantly, we have had reform. A Bill was published by a group of Independent Senators that will be brought before the House to have one person, one vote, for which so many from all parties in this House have campaigned. It is interesting to look at the literature - I had a look at it this morning - from many distinguished Members on their commitment to Seanad reform. There is an opportunity now for us all to engage in meaningful Seanad reform. That will be the basis - it will not be a panacea or provide all the solutions - from which to move forward.
I look forward to working with everyone in this Seanad. I particularly wish Senator Denis O'Donovan well and endorse his nomination to be Cathaoirleach.
I, too, add my voice to the call to nominate Senator Denis O'Donovan to be Cathaoirleach. When I came into this House, I was a very lonely individual having won a by-election against the odds thanks to my colleagues in Fine Gael and, in particular, the Taoiseach.
In speaking in favour of the nomination of Senator Denis O’Donovan two Members of the previous Seanad stand out in my mind, the first being Senator Paddy Burke who has been mentioned by everybody present. I had difficulty in obtaining speaking time, but, in fairness, Senator Paddy Burke was most fair a Cathaoirleach and ensured any time I wished to speak I received an opportunity to do so. When his colleague, Senator Denis O’Donovan, then Leas-Chathaoirleach, was in the Chair, he also ensured I had an opportunity to speak.
Like Senator David Norris, I note that there are a number of Members in the House today who believe it should have been abolished. They are quite happy to be back as Senators. We will have to learn to work together. Those on the Government side who enjoyed an enormous majority under the previous Administration were able to come in and ram anything they wished through the House. Those days are gone. They will have to learn to talk, negotiate and make new friends in order to get what they need through the House. I look forward to working with them and assure them that, as in the previous Seanad, I will not vote against legislation just because they are bringing it forward. However, we will have to learn to work together and co-operate with one another.
I noted when I came in today that there was a massive rush to this side of the House and that the other side was empty. There was a fierce reluctance to sit on the other side. We will see what way the seating arrangements work out in the next few days. I have no qualms whatsoever with the other nominee other than the fact that I have personal experience of Senator Denis O'Donovan, whom I wish well.
I wish Senator Jerry Buttimer well as Leader of the House. I have enjoyed many a joust with him on Twitter and I am looking forward to jousting with him in the House. He has a tough act to follow in following former Senator Maurice Cummins who is, without doubt, one of the finest gentlemen I have known in my time. Although I did not agree with him on everything, he was a tremendous Leader of the House and one who will be sadly missed. Senator Jerry Buttimer has a big act to follow, but I wish him well.
Senator Gerard O, Craughwell stated that everyone who had spoken had paid tribute to Senator Paddy Burke. He is not quite right because I did not do so. I take the opportunity to pay a heartiest tribute to my old friend and companion, Senator Paddy Burke. He was an imaginative, dignified and thoughtful Chairman of Seanad Éireann, but that did not mean he did not always have a wicked sense of humour. I am very glad to see him back. I thank him for the years he spent as a distinguished Cathaoirleach of this Chamber.
As there is more than one proposal, they will be dealt with in the order in which they were made. I will put the first question and then yield to the Clerk Assistant of Seanad Éireann for the remainder of the proceedings until he calls me back to welcome the individual who, one assumes, will be the victor on this occasion.
Cuireadh an cheist: “Go dtoghfar an Seanadóir Rose Conway-Walsh agus go rachaidh sí i gceannais an tSeanaid anois mar Chathaoirleach.”
Question put: “That Senator Rose Conway-Walsh be elected and do now take the Chair of Seanad Éireann.”
The Seanad divided: Tá, 8; Níl, 43.
Tá
- Black, Frances.
- Conway-Walsh, Rose.
- Devine, Máire.
- Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
- Norris, David.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Donnghaile, Niall.
- Warfield, Fintan.
Níl
- Ardagh, Catherine.
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Burke, Colm.
- Burke, Paddy.
- Butler, Ray.
- Buttimer, Jerry.
- Byrne, Maria.
- Clifford-Lee, Lorraine.
- Coffey, Paudie.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Conway, Martin.
- Craughwell, Gerard P.
- Daly, Mark.
- Daly, Paul.
- Davitt, Aidan.
- Feighan, Frank.
- Freeman, Joan.
- Gallagher, Robbie.
- Hopkins, Maura.
- Horkan, Gerry.
- Humphreys, Kevin.
- Landy, Denis.
- Lawless, Billy.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Lombard, Tim.
- McDowell, Michael.
- Mulherin, Michelle.
- Murnane O'Connor, Jennifer.
- Nash, Gerald.
- Noone, Catherine.
- Ó Céidigh, Pádraig.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Ríordáin, Aodhán.
- O'Donnell, Kieran.
- O'Donnell, Marie-Louise.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Mahony, John.
- O'Reilly, Joe.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Reilly, James.
- Richmond, Neale.
- Swanick, Keith.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Niall Ó Donnghaile; Níl, Senators Gerry Horkan and Diarmuid Wilson.
Question declared lost.
Faisnéiseadh go rabhthas tar éis diúltú don cheist.
Cuireadh an cheist: "Go dtoghfar an Seanadóir Denis O'Donovan agus go rachaidh sé i gceannais an tSeanaid anois mar Chathaoirleach."
Question put: "That Senator Denis O'Donovan be elected and do now take the Chair of Seanad Éireann."
The Seanad divided: Tá, 44; Níl, 6.
Tá
- Ardagh, Catherine.
- Boyhan, Victor.
- Burke, Colm.
- Burke, Paddy.
- Butler, Ray.
- Buttimer, Jerry.
- Byrne, Maria.
- Clifford-Lee, Lorraine.
- Coffey, Paudie.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Craughwell, Gerard P.
- Daly, Mark.
- Daly, Paul.
- Davitt, Aidan.
- Feighan, Frank.
- Freeman, Joan.
- Gallagher, Robbie.
- Hopkins, Maura.
- Horkan, Gerry.
- Humphreys, Kevin.
- Landy, Denis.
- Lawless, Billy.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Lombard, Tim.
- McDowell, Michael.
- Mulherin, Michelle.
- Mullen, Rónán.
- Murnane O'Connor, Jennifer.
- Nash, Gerald.
- Noone, Catherine.
- Norris, David.
- Ó Céidigh, Pádraig.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Ríordáin, Aodhán.
- O'Donnell, Kieran.
- O'Donnell, Marie-Louise.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Mahony, John.
- O'Reilly, Joe.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Reilly, James.
- Richmond, Neale.
- Swanick, Keith.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Níl
- Conway-Walsh, Rose.
- Devine, Máire.
- Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Donnghaile, Niall.
- Warfield, Fintan.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Gerry Horkan and Diarmuid Wilson; Níl, Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Niall Ó Donnghaile.
Question declared carried.
Faisnéiseadh go rabhthas tar éis glacadh leis an gceist.
Whereupon Senators rose in their places and remained standing while the Cathaoirleach proceeded to the Dais.
I count that as a really good standing ovation, one Senator Denis O'Donovan richly deserves. I did not mention former Senator Francie O'Brien and a great Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, former Senator Rory Kiely, because I did not see them in the Visitors Gallery.
I add my words of praise to Senator Denis O'Donovan. I have known him for many years and witnessed him here quietly and effectively but also passionately, defending those things he saw as being important. In particular, I have been in the House when there was almost nobody else listening to him speak with immense conviction about the question of fishing. We talk about the European Union and how much we owe it, but it owes us €200 billion for our fish stocks and it is people like Senator Denis O'Donovan who defend the fishing reserves of the country. In the Chair he was open-hearted and reasonable. I think I only saw him lose his temper once and will not sully the record of the House by disclosing where it was. It gives me great pleasure in this moment of my brief glory to call a very popular Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Denis O'Donovan, to whom I offer my strong support and send my very best wishes for a splendid term.
Tá an-bhród orm agus ar mo chlann go bhfuil an lá seo tagtha. Tá áthas mór orm bheith anseo inniu mar Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann. Cé nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge go flúirseach agam, molaim do na Seanadóirí go léir í a úsáid chomh minic agus is féidir. Tá grá mór agam don teanga, ach tá a lán de caillte agam de bharr easpa cleachtadh, is dócha. Mar sin, ba mhaith liom an Ghaeilge a úsáid chomh minic agus is féidir sa seomra seo.
I am very honoured and privileged, as is my family. I am reflecting on a matter. My father used to tell us a few stories over the old open fire. I am not sure from where the quotation comes, but it flips into my mind and it is important to mention it.
Do I sleep? Do I dream?
Do I wonder and doubt?
Are things what they seem?
Or is visions about?
I might have to ask the Clerk Assistant to pinch me later to see whether this is real.
I pay tribute to all those who voted for me; my proposer, Senator Catherine Ardagh, and my seconder, Senator Mark Daly. Both very eloquently said things about me which I am not sure I deserve. I also acknowledge the contest with the Sinn Féin lady. It is important to have contests and, as I have said to Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and others, I do not bear grudges and will be fair, reasonable and impartial in the Chair in all my dealings to the best of my ability.
I did not write a big speech but a few brief notes. It is a great occasion for my family. I particularly welcome and pay tribute to my soulmate and rock, Eileen, my partner of 11 years. I do not know how she has put up with me. Without her, I do not know if I would have had the impetus to run for election, particularly as I must travel from west Cork to the Seanad. I sometimes did not get home for a month. If one goes west or to County Donegal, it is a long way back to west Cork. Also here are my sons, Luke, Gerard and Donnachadha. My daughter, Naomi, is a midwife and, unfortunately, not here owing to her duties in Cork University Hospital. Her priority is delivering babies; therefore, I will excuse her for that purpose. I have seven sisters and present is my sister, Sheila, who I do not remember emigrating to the United States because I was a baby. She sent home dollars to her family in west Cork, which was typical at the time, when I could not wipe my own backside.
My sister, Margaret, and my brother, Thomas, who are great supporters of mine are here. I am very fortunate to have a family which is very united. When one of us is down or defeated in an election, they all come together. Unfortunately, owning to numbers, some of my family could not get into the House. Watching in the AV Room is my daughter-in-law, Claire O'Flynn, or now O'Donovan, and Marion, with two of my grandchildren, Ellie and Tom. Glenda, Eileen's daughter, is there also, with Anna, as is my brother-in-law, Finbarr O'Donoghue; Aidan McCarthy, a supporter; Kevin Murphy, Kathleen Lane and Tony Lane. Unfortunately, owing to the restrictions today, only some - I think, seven or eight - could get into the House.
We are in a totally new Seanad and I congratulate all the new Senators. I congratulate, in particular, Senator Jerry Buttimer, the new Leader of the House, a very prudent appointment by the Taoiseach, the Whips and all Members. As somebody said, there are 42 new Senators. It is a huge occasion. I was appointed to the Seanad in 1989. I believe this is my fifth term here and I stood for seven Dáil elections, for my sins. I am not sure if it is a bit of madness, but sometimes I think that perhaps it is dedication to public life. It is 31 years - June 1985 - since I was first elected to the council for the old Schull electoral area. As I was celebrating my victory on 21 June that year, a very sad event happened off our coastline in south-west Cork, namely, the blowing up of the Air India aeroplane by, I think, Sikh separatists, although it was never proved. Many of the bodies and the debris were brought to Cork. There is a little memorial in my home parish of Ahakista and it is a site of which I am very proud. One of my first jobs as a young councillor was to propose that the community provide a site for the Indians and the Canadians at which to mourn. They come over every year and the anniversary is coming up. That is one of my memories.
I acknowledge the presence of a great friend of mine, the former Cathaoirleach Rory Kiely. I also welcome another great friend who came into the Seanad with me back in 1989, Francie O'Brien, and a former Leader of the House, the inimitable Donie Cassidy. I pay tribute to Senator Terry Leyden who democratically and fairly challenged me for the position within my own group. Many Members families and friends in the Visitors Gallery, but there is one person in the Visitors Gallery who I would like to mention because her late husband was a great friend of mine. It is a great honour that Máire Ardagh is here with her daughter, Senator Catherine Ardagh. I could write a book, some of which might not be printed, on the exploits I had with Seán during the years. He was a great colleague of mine. He passed away recently and I am sure he is here is spirit with both Máire and Catherine.
I wish to mention friends of mine in the Visitors Gallery, including Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony from west Cork. I am very proud that she is here. I did not do a lot for her in her election campaign, but I did a small bit. Deputies Dara Calleary and Darragh O'Brien are present and I am delighted they are here to support me.
This is an extraordinary day. It is a new Seanad. Many have praised all of the new Members and I wish them all well. It is a challenge in that the structure of the Seanad is most unique, with six new groups. I thank all those who supported me, including some of the Independents and, in particular, the Labour Party. I also thank Fine Gael for its support. To those who did not support me, I acknowledge that is their democratic right.
I will list all of our former colleagues who soldiered with us for the past five years and who made strong contributions in different ways. I will do so apolitically and in the order I printed off who lost out and is not back and who decided not to run in order that they are not forgotten. We had a lovely intelligent girl here the last time, Kathryn Reilly of Sinn Féin. There were Tony Mulcahy, John Gilroy, a fellow Corkman, Paul Bradford who was here for a long time and joined Cork County Council with me in June 1985, and Cáit Keane, a Fine Gael Senator. Some of them fought the Seanad election but did not make it, while some of them fought the Dáil election. There was Averil Power and Feargal Quinn, who a little like Senator David Norris, the father of the House, made a huge contribution during the years.
There was Michael Mullins of Fine Gael, Fidelma Healy Eames, Marie Moloney of the Labour Party from County Kerry, Tom Sheahan and Paschal Mooney. Paschal was a tremendous contributor here on many issues and I was sad, even though we were on the same panel, that he lost out. There were also Michael Comiskey, James Heffernan, Jim D'Arcy, Mary Moran, Susan O'Keeffe, Labhrás Ó Murchú and Jim Walsh. There is one I see missing from the list, that is, a great character who, unfortunately, is not back here, fondly known as "the Scobe", Terry Brennan from Carlingford, County Louth. It is important to remember them.
At this juncture it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the great job done by the Acting Chairman today, Senator David Norris. I have known David for four decades. On a personal basis, I have huge admiration for what he has done. He is a poet, a scholar, a rascal and he can be a thorny contributory here in this House. Having said all that, I admire those who try. There are victors and vanquished. Senator David Norris was strong enough and made a unique election by putting his name forward for the Presidency and that is something that stuck out. Perhaps if the ball had broken differently for him he might well have been in the Áras. However, the current President, Michael D. Higgins, is doing a wonderful job. I do not intend to ráiméis on. I think I have covered most of the points I wanted to make. There will be other days for speeches.
I acknowledge that the Twenty-fifth Seanad is unusual. There are Members with immense contributions to make. I hope there will be some cohesion because sometimes we can be abrasive. There is the Whips system and the challenging situation of the Government versus the rest, etc. If this Seanad is to make a mark, we must rise above this. The Seanad, in its contribution, is supposed to be more than just Members reading the morning newspapers, listening to "Morning Ireland" or one of the chat shows and trying to come in and make a point on what is common knowledge on the business of the day. There are Members here who can come in of their own right and bring up issues from across the board.
Senator David Norris mentioned my attempts over many decades to raise the plight of the fishermen and the way they had been badly treated by the European UnionS. Unfortunately, as Cathaoirleach, I will have to bí cúramach, watch myself and not take sides. However, there are many, many issues. I look at the Senators across the Chamber. I have met practically all of them, bar two or three, and note the quality of those who are in here. It is up to everyone here as individuals to make this Seanad work. If we want to be cynical on this issue, we can, with the maximum vote of the Government at any given time probably being 21 or 22, ensure no legislation gets through through. Sometimes Governments have brought forward important legislation and sometimes, when we do not get all our own way, we must concede that where a Bill is 90% acceptable but there is 10% with which one strongly disagrees, one does not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
There will be many issues for the Seanad to deal with. I hope it will be a fruitful and unique reform Seanad and that when this Seanad ends, however long it will last and whatever the tenure will be, it will be a Seanad that will be remembered for the contribution that we, as a group or individually, will make. My wish is that it will be an extraordinarily good and constructive Seanad and that divisions, when they take place, will be for a reason.
A few Senators have indicated they want to say a few words. I will start with the Leader of the House, Senator Jerry Buttimer, whom I again congratulate and wish well.
Ar an gcéad dul síos, ar mo shon féin agus ar son Fhine Gael, ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a dhéanamh leat agus ardtacaíocht a thabhairt duit mar Chathaoirleach an tSeanaid. Bain taitneamh as an lá. Is lá bródúil é do do chlann agus do do pháirtí, Eileen.
In congratulating the Cathaoirleach I pledge to him my support and that of the Fine Gael Members. We look forward to working with him in ensuring this Seanad is one of reform and one that will define how politics is done in the future.
I pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach. I had the pleasure of getting to know him in the previous Seanad and count him as a friend. Senator David Norris was being a little unfair when he mentioned harbours.
He nearly managed to put the harbours Bill into the ether with the length of his speeches and the tome of work from which he read. He comes to the office of Cathaoirleach with huge knowledge and a wealth of experience in local and national government. We will work with him to ensure our business is carried out in a way that is beneficial to the workings of the House. I look forward to working with everybody in the House.
As I stated, I commend and thank Senator Rose Conway-Walsh for contesting. It is important in a democracy that there be a contest. It is healthy.
The membership of this Seanad is vastly different from that of the last one. There is a change in the order of over 75%, the biggest in the history of the Seanad. That will bring its own challenges. I join the Cathaoirleach in paying tribute to the outgoing, retiring and defeated Members of the last Seanad for the immense work they did. I welcome a former Leader of the House, Mr. Donie Cassidy, a former Cathaoirleach, Mr. Rory Kiely, and former Senator Francis O’Brien to the House.
It is not a day for long speeches, but I wish to make two final remarks. I join the Cathaoirleach in paying tribute to our late friend Seán Ardagh and sympathising with the Ardagh family. I also extend my sympathy to Senator Grace O’Sullivan of the Green Party whose father, John, passed away after the election. I sympathise with her and her sister in Waterford, Councillor Lola O’Sullivan.
This is a day of celebration for all of us in the House. It is a day on which we acknowledge and embrace what is good about Irish politics, that is, that the Upper House can meet in such august settings, with the country and the world watching us. We are joined by people from across the world, which means that there is an international dimension to our work today, one which will continue, I am sure, under Senator Billy Lawless.
I thank the staff of the Seanad Office for their courtesy to all of us. I also thank the staff of the Houses for their support, particularly for the new Members. The work and courtesy of the staff of the Seanad Office and staff around the Houses belittle the criticism one hears of public servants. I thank them on my own behalf and that of the Cathaoirleach for their work and dedication to the new Members.
I wish the Cathaoirleach the best of luck. We all wish him well. I am sure he will have more difficulty with his own Members than with those us on this side of the House. We will work in collaboration. If we want to see new politics achieve anything, it will have to be about collaboration and what happens in the future. It must be about reform and redefining how politics is conducted. I look forward to working with all Members, particularly the Cathaoirleach. This is his day. He deserves the honour of being elected Cathaoirleach. He is a decent, honourable, good Corkman and I look forward to working with him.
When I came up here, I was slightly sidetracked by Senator David Norris who put me in the Minister’s chair for a while. I thank the Captain of the Guard, Mr. John Flaherty, for escorting me to the Chair. I should have said this at the start.
On the list of people I read I noticed that one of the most able contributors to the last Seanad was probably an anchorman on the Government side, Senator Maurice Cummins, who is a great friend of mine. I really felt sorry that he had lost out. His name is not on my list, but that is my problem. I wish to mention the tremendous work he did as Leader of the Seanad for the past five years.
My predecessor, Senator Paddy Burke, was tremendously able. He is fairly quiet-spoken and probably milder than I am. In five years we did not exchange a cross word. When he was away or absent, for whatever reason, as sometimes happened, I performed my responsibilities as Leas-Chathaoirleach. The Senator was a pleasure to work with and a gentleman and he is back in the House again.
On the order of Members’ contributions, it is important that Senator Rose Conway-Walsh who put her name forward be let say a cúpla focal. It is good to have a contest.
Comhghairdeas leis an Cathaoirleach. I wish him and his family the very best in the time ahead. On the left and the right we see a perfect example of the love that dare not speak its name. What a beautiful baby they have produced in the Cathaoirleach. I am sure his daughter, Naomi, will agree, given the useful work she does. It is not unnatural, nor is it something about which people are concerned on the ground.
However, on behalf of the Sinn Féin team of seven Senators I have the privilege to lead, I wish the Cathaoirleach well. He can be assured of our support and co-operation. I also thank the Leader, Senator Jerry Buttimer, for his kind words. I want to be associated with the words spoken about his courageousness and the good work he has done.
On this special centenary year, the electorate presented us with a unique dispensation to make the Seanad count for the ordinary people across the Thirty-two Counties, to count for the families and children with autism struggling to get services and supports, to count for the people in my community and rural Ireland who spend their last days on this earth on hospital trolleys and for those experiencing mental health difficulties. It is important that we remember the 451 people who died as a result of suicide in the past year. The Seanad must count for the people sitting the leaving certificate today. I particularly acknowledge the young people sitting the leaving certificate applied examinations. The struggles many of them have had and the obstacles they have overcome to sit those examinations are what drives me and the rest of my team on to make this Seanad count for them and to acknowledge what they have done. I particularly want to make the Seanad count for rural Ireland, jobs, broadband and emigration. I am delighted that, like me, the Cathaoirleach has a special interest in fishing and farming. He knows the unfairness with which our fishing communities have been dealt with in recent years and which causes fishermen to risk their lives. Unfortunately, it has cost the lives of many fishermen across the country. He is also aware of proposals such as a single boat payment. I look forward to working with the Cathaoirleach on this.
As we all bring experience and expertise to the Seanad, we must not get stuck in raising awareness. We are in a privileged position in that we can influence policy which will matter to the people, as well as protect and affect the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. I want to imagine supports and services will be delivered from a human rights perspective. What a difference it could make if many of our health practitioners and others were trained in human rights to put people to the front and at the centre of everything they do.
Sinn Féin is determined to effect change from this Chamber. The only and first way to do this is through reforming the Seanad substantially. That is why we tabled a motion on Seanad reform which suggests the creation of a sub-committee to examine this matter over a period of six weeks. The key reason we want to do this is to ensure the 42 new Senators have an input into that matter. I acknowledge the recommendations contained in the Manning report and the draft Bill. However, it is important to take up the proposal for a six-week examination to see how we can do business better.
I look forward to working with everybody across all parties. Let us put our heads together and make the Seanad count for the ordinary people who are really depending on us.
I congratulate Senator Denis O'Donovan on his decisive election as Cathaoirleach of the Twenty-fifth Seanad. It is an enormous honour that he is serving in this important position in this commemorative year. I also pay tribute to Senator Paddy Burke who was an excellent Cathaoirleach, as well as those former Cathaoirligh in the Visitors Gallery.
The Cathaoirleach has experience and knowledge from his former role as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I know that he will treat Members of this House fairly. Every Member is elected equally. We are all Members of the Twenty-fifth Seanad. How we are elected or come to serve here is set out in the Constitution.
Nobody has greater rights than anybody else, whether by virtue of his or her experience or the method by which he or she was elected. We were all elected in accordance with the Constitution.
I look forward to a very productive Seanad in the coming years. The Seanad has an enormous opportunity to bring forward Private Members' Bills. For years, I tried to get a Bill through the House. On one occasion, I got it through and all the parties - Fine Gael, the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil - agreed with it. When we returned in the previous Seanad, one of the Ministers rejected it. I hope it will be brought before the House and passed, with the approval of Fianna Fáil. It is called the Registration of Wills Bill. This is the first opportunity since the foundation of the State that we will have an opportunity in the Dáil and the Seanad to bring legislation through the Oireachtas.
Senator Jerry Buttimer will play a very important role as a very progressive Leader of the House. I also acknowledge the leader of the Fianna Fáil party, Senator Catherine Ardagh, and I am glad her mother is here today. I also acknowledge the Deputy Leader, Senator Mark Daly; the Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson; and the deputy Whip, Senator Gerry Horkan, and all the spokespersons appointed by the Fianna Fáil leader last night. I wish them well in their work.
I ask the Leader to consider putting a joint motion before the House in the next week or so for the immediate release of an Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa, who is in prison in Cairo, Egypt. He has served 1,000 days and has said it was like 1,000 years. His mass trial has been delayed 13 times. The next trial date has been set for some time in June. Amnesty International has conducted a review of the prosecution evidence and concluded that Ibrahim Halawa would not have committed the crimes for which he has been charged. The Twenty-fifth Seanad must campaign for his immediate release. We have tremendously experienced people in the House, human rights advocates and legal experts and we could take it on very quickly. This young man is languishing, in terms of suffering and torture, in jail in Cairo. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to come to the House and explain the situation as quickly as possible. Will the Leader make contact with the Minister to see if we can receive an up-to-date report? Could all 60 Members unite in putting forward a motion to the Egyptian Government to have that young man released as soon as possible?
On behalf of the Labour Party group, I welcome Senator Denis O'Donovan's election as Cathaoirleach and wish him well and comhghairdeas. He will make an excellent Cathaoirleach. I welcome the appointment of Senator Jerry Buttimer as Leader of the Seanad and leader of the Fine Gael group. I saw how well the Senator chaired the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children during the previous term of the Dáil and the Seanad. He will do well and I look forward to working with him and with Senator Catherine Ardagh, as Leader of the Opposition. She will make an excellent leader. I knew her father who chaired the justice committee when I was first elected to the Seanad. He was a superb representative.
It is not a day for long political speeches. We will all work together in a spirit of collaboration and new politics in this new Seanad to be an effective and progressive Upper House. We all feel very strongly about particular issues around equality, human rights and social justice. I agree with Senator Terry Leyden that a joint, cross-party motion, agreed by all the leaders of the different groups, on the release of Ibrahim Halawa would be a very good way for the new Seanad to begin its work. There are many other issues on which we will all be working in the coming years and I look forward to working with all the Senators in that spirit. It can be a very exciting and progressive Seanad and I look forward to it.
It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to stand with the 59 other Senators who have the privilege and honour to be here to work for and on behalf of the people.
I am delighted for your good self, a Chathaoirligh, that you have been elected. I have known you for five years, although not as long as many others in the House. I worked with you on the justice committee and your contributions were always constructive. One of the best reports produced during the previous Seanad was the public consultation committee's report on farm safety. It was a groundbreaking report which gained enormous publicity and took a shot on behalf of farm safety. The people who had lost loved ones as a result of farm accidents were pleased that the Seanad made farm safety such a priority. That was an example of new politics that was initiated in the previous Seanad. We are talking about various forms of new politics but with the greatest of respect to the previous Seanad, there was a great deal of consensus as well as division. Members such as the Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke, and the former Leader made an honest effort at new politics through the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and by allowing many debates. I look on that very much as the starting point. We have a great deal of work to do.
I congratulate my good friend, Senator Jerry Buttimer, on becoming Leader of the House. His record speaks for itself. He will be Leader of the most exciting Seanad ever because of the diversity in the various groups and the many talented individuals among those of us who were lucky enough to serve in the previous Seanad, with the many new Members who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to this Chamber.
We are entering an era of consensus politics. The election on 26 February threw up a result that many had predicted but few were prepared for. That result has forced people to start working together. It certainly has forced my party and Fianna Fáil to at least start a dialogue of understanding and co-operation. That type of politics works in other parts of the world and Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands. I refer to the new committee on budgetary scrutiny. That is the norm in other European countries where similar committees work well. The Budget Statement should be a summation of the work of the committee.
The House not only has a role in supporting and advising Government, but it also has a role in coercing, cajoling and forcing Government to do the right thing. The House has always championed human rights issues and there is positive legislation on the Statute Book to protect human rights but more is needed. For example, the State has not yet ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. It is a crying shame that the country has not done so. The House should and will champion that as time passes. We also need to promote and develop the mindset of people. They cannot just subscribe to equality; they need to believe it. Many of our citizens promote equality but others do not necessarily and we need to appeal to their hearts and minds also.
The House has a huge opportunity. We can drive political reform in this country and we can make political reform happen. The House has a proud history and will have a fantastic future.
Before I call on my good friend and another Kerry Senator, Ned O'Sullivan, to say a few words, I acknowledge the presence in the Visitors Gallery of Mr. George Jeffery. He represents the Munster Agricultural Society Company Limited, my nominating body. Fortunately for him, Senator Tim Lombard, another west Corkman, and I were both elected and I am delighted that he is present.
Cuireann sé gliondar croí orm mo sheanchara, Donncha Ó Donnabháin, a fheiscint tofa mar Chathaoirleach ar Sheanad Éireann. Tá an gradam seo fíor tuillte aige, mar is duine agus polaiteoir den chéad scoth é. Guím rath Dé ar an obair tábhachtach atá roimhe.
It is a great joy for me personally to see my old friend elected as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. He was elected virtually by acclaim - almost unprecedented acclaim. In fairness to Sinn Féin Senators who it is clear were entitled to put forward their own very able candidate, even the ranks of Tuscany could scarcely forbear from cheering when the Cathaoirleach was elected. That is a tribute to his standing in Leinster House, both formerly as a Deputy, latterly as a Senator and today as Cathaoirleach. As Senator Mark Daly said, he has proved himself in the arena. He and I were elected to local government in June 1985 - he was elected in County Cork, while I was elected in County Kerry. He has fought a great fight for his party and his beliefs in the council, the Dáil and the Seanad, from the hard cockpit of real politics in west Cork. He is a credit to his party, supporters and Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony and, of course, a great credit to his partner, Eileen, his brothers, sisters and the rest of his family. It is a proud day for him and I am glad to be here to share it with him.
This will be a great Seanad. I like new politics, but there will only be new politics when we are in a situation where we have to make it work. We have many templates from elsewhere in Europe where there are minority governments, but we are Irish and will do it the Irish way. However, we will have to learn. We will have to invent our own wheel and I am sure we will do so in both the Dáil and the Seanad.
I compliment my former colleague, Senator Jerry Buttimer, who is a great choice as Leader. He will find himself in the funny position where he will be poacher turned gamekeeper because when he was here last, he gave the then Leader an awful time. It will be fun watching how he will progress.
I will mention only one former Member. We all sense the loss of the former Leader, former Senator Maurice Cummins. He was a pure gentleman who was popular on all sides of the House. He gave great service as Leader, but that is politics - good and bad things happen. However, he is still a young man and beidh lá eile aige.
I will not make a long speech, but we have lots to do and what an eclectic bunch we have. Naturally enough, the media will focus on the Independents, the university Senators and those on the left. However, we should not forget that those of us from rural areas of Cork, Kerry and Donegal have plenty to say here also.
Comhghairdeas, a Chathaoirligh. I offer warm congratulations to the Cathaoirleach on his election. I will say a few words on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group. I also congratulate the new Leader of the House, Senator Jerry Buttimer.
We very much look forward to being part of the new dynamic. Both the Cathaoirleach and the Leader have expressed their interest in and commitment to new ways of doing politics and new ways of working together. We have an extraordinary opportunity with a very diverse group of Members. We will have ideas coming from all sides of the House, not simply the Independents. There are many exciting and new ideas from all of the political parties which will have a chance to flourish and bloom as we work together, moving past any complacency while working creatively and co-operating on the motions that have been proposed. We have already heard talk about motions today. We have heard, for example, ideas about legislation being really tested, debated and discussed on its merits. We have also heard about a commitment to human rights from all sides of the House. I hope that commitment to public duty, for example, on equality and human rights, will be part of the merits that we will, as a House, look for in legislation. Those of us in the Civil Engagement Group are very excited to be part of that process. We come from all civil society movements. This House can be a key point of engagement for civil society in the wider political and legislative process. We are, of course, also happy to support the proposals mentioned on Seanad reform, but the chance to debate them and the Bill we have put forward will come on another day.
Again, I offer my congratulations. We look forward to working under the Cathaoirleach's stewardship.
Before I call Senator Paul Daly to make his contribution, I note that one of his best attributes is that he is married to a very good west Cork woman.
At the end of my few words, I was going to note that the Cathaoirleach is a west Cork man. I know that Senator Jerry Buttimer's roots are also in west Cork and, as was mentioned, Bernie is also in the audience. As a proud Westmeath man, I find myself in the precarious position that, irrespective of whether I am at home or at work, I will be answerable to somebody from west Cork. I will just have to get used to it.
I congratulate the Cathaoirleach. Many Members have worked with him over a 30-year period, whereas I have only got to know him since the start of the Seanad election campaign. As they say, however, first impressions give the best reflections. While we were on the same panel for the same party, scurrying after the same votes throughout the country, I was - like a young footballer coming onto a team - often left wide open whereas the Cathaoirleach was the senior hard hitter. He could have taken me out at any time but, irrespective of this, he was a thorough gentleman. Any conversation or communication we had was always full of advice, goodwill and good wishes. As I said, I formulated my opinion on first impressions and, as has been reiterated by everyone who has spoken, I got it right. Senator Denis O'Donovan was an honourable gentleman during the campaign and he is the ideal man for Cathaoirleach. Although this is my first occasion in the House, I have been watching politics and often watched "Oireachtas Report"; therefore, I know that he was an excellent Leas-Chathaoirleach and will bring all of those qualities to the Chair.
Like most of those who have spoken, I have come to this House with a brief. This is the Cathaoirleach's day, but I am looking forward greatly to the Chamber beginning to function in order that we can start raising the issues we want to highlight and dealing with the problems we are here to solve. This is not that day; this is his day. I again give my heartiest congratulations to the Cathaoirleach, Eileen and his entire extended family.
Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leat, a Chathaoirligh. Cuireann sé gliondar ar mo chroí a chluinstin go bhfuil tú ag iarraidh níos mó Ghaeilge a úsáid anseo agus an teanga a chur chun cinn.
I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and look forward to working with him during the coming Seanad term. There is much diversity among the individuals in the Chamber but, for all our egos and idiosyncrasies, all eyes will not be on us today. The boys in green are heading to Paris and, if Twitter is anything to go by, they are currently over England on the aeroplane and are tweeting away. I know that those in this Chamber will send their best wishes and good luck to both teams from the island that are heading to the European Championships.
I congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer on his appointment. I ask that he consider bringing the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources before the House. I certainly hope Ireland are in the European Championships for as long as they possibly can be, but there many issues faced by those of us living in the North. Unfortunately, we cannot access many of the games via RTE and, despite the very positive news advertised by RTE and the FAI that much of the commentary would be available as Gaeilge for those who wanted to avail of it, this will not be available for viewers in the North, even for those who can watch the games. While I appreciate that it is one of the more minor issues, nevertheless, it is one which resonates with many. If we are serious about promoting the profile and use of the language, we should put our money where our mouth is. Perhaps that is something the Leader, Senator Jerry Buttimer, might consider.
I call the Member who proposed me as Cathaoirleach, Senator Catherine Ardagh.
Caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil an gliondar is mó i mo chroí inniu ós rud é go bhfuil tú tofa mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad.
On behalf of my family, I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words about my father. Not only were they colleagues, I know that he and my father were good friends. He will be delighted to see Senator Denis O'Donovan elected today. As my colleague, Senator Paul Daly, said, this is not a day for any of us; it is a day for the Cathaoirleach and his family. I congratulate him and his family. I hope he enjoys the day. I know that he will preside over this House with fairness and integrity. I look forward to working with him, Senators Jerry Buttimer and Rose Conway-Walsh during the tenure of this House.
The next speaker is Senator Diarmuid Wilson, a Senator of long-standing who has been a friend and colleague for many years. He has an unenviable job from time to time as Whip and has served as Government and Opposition Whip. Across the House many Members state he is not just the Whip but also a gentleman. I will let him say a few words and ask him not to be too hard on me.
On my own behalf and that of his former colleagues in Fianna Fáil, I congratulate Senator Denis O'Donovan on his election as Cathaoirleach of this great Chamber. As colleagues have said, it is a great day not only for him but also for his partner, Eileen; his sons, daughter, sisters, brothers, grandchildren and his many supporters and friends in west Cork. It is a great honour to be Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann and I am delighted he has succeeded to this great role.
I pay tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke, who was very fair, balanced and impartial. I wish him well in his many years ahead as a Member of the House. I also congratulate the Leader of the House, Senator Jerry Buttimer, or as some former colleagues used to refer to him, Senator Butterfield, on his appointment. I have known Jerry for many years. When the Cathaoirleach and Senator Ned O'Sullivan were first elected to public office, Senator Jerry Buttimer and I were in college together. Little did we know we would end up yet again in the same Chamber. I am delighted for him and I congratulate him wholeheartedly on his appointment.
I acknowledge the presence of the iar-Chathaoirleach of the House, Rory Kiely. I have the unique distinction of being the only person he put out of the House when he was Cathaoirleach, when I would not sit down when ordered to do so. Nevertheless, he is very welcome today and I am glad to see him so hale and hearty. I also welcome my former colleague from Monaghan, Francie O'Brien, a good personal friend of mine. They are both very welcome and I am delighted to see them here.
I congratulate everybody on his or her election or re-election to the House. It is a great honour for any of us to serve in this great Chamber. Like other colleagues, my thoughts are with those who sought re-election but were unsuccessful. In particular, I fondly remember the former Leader, Maurice Cummins, with whom I worked very closely.
I look forward to the term ahead. How long it will be none of us knows. I hope it will be a couple of years at least. We all have a contribution to make, regardless of from what background we come. Seanad reform, in my opinion, must come from the Chamber. I congratulate those who have tabled motions and legislation in this regard. Combining the knowledge and experience on all sides we can come up with a reformed Seanad that is acceptable to everybody.
Once again, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.
I thank the Senator.
I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on being elevated to the position. I have no doubt that he will make an excellent Cathaoirleach. He comes to the Chamber with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has been a Member of this and the other House for many years. He has chaired many committees and been a member of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for many years. He has a wealth of experience which I know he will bring to the position of Cathaoirleach. I have no doubt that he will need all the experience he has, given the diversity in the House. If we had had Seanad reform before this, I do not know whether it would have thrown up the many changes that have come to the House at this time.
I wish the Cathaoirleach well and congratulate him again. It is a great day for him and his family.
I thank the staff of the House for their co-operation in the past few years, including the Clerk of the Seanad, Ms Deirdre Lane, who is not with us today and the Clerk Assistant, Mr. Martin Groves. The House has a very small staff. I believe there are only four or five and they do a tremendous job. The House sits long hours from 10.30 a.m. to on some occasions 10.30 p.m. or midnight and perhaps all night long, but we are still left with only four or five staff. They have given tremendous service to the country for many years and I take the opportunity to congratulate them.
I wish Senator Jerry Buttimer well as Leader of the House and leader of the Fine Gael group. I congratulate him on his elevation to his post, as I do Senator Catherine Ardagh as the leader of the main Opposition party. I commiserate with my county colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh. I wish her well and no doubt there will be another day.
I, too, wish to be associated, as I am sure everybody here does, with the very important and kind remarks made by Senator Paddy Burke about the staff of the House who do tremendous work which sometimes goes unappreciated.
Ba bhreá liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an gCathaoirleach agus lena mhuintir, dár ndóigh. Go mairfidh a phost nua. Tá sé tuillte go maith aige. Níorbh aon cháineadh é ar an Seanadóir Conway-Walsh gur éirigh leis an Seanadóir O'Donovan inniu. Táim cinnte go mbeidh sí go hiontach mar Sheanadóir. Is cinnte, ón vóta a bhfuair sé inniu, go raibh fhios ag gach duine anseo dáiríre nach amháin go bhfuil an saineolas aige - is cinnte ó bheith ag breathnú air go dtí seo an cur amach atá aige ar na rialacha agus an saineolas atá aige ó bheith páirteach i gcoistí éagsúla - ach freisin go bhfuil an cuirtéis aige mar dhuine, ó bhí sé sa chathaoir mar Leas-Chathaoirleach. Táimid fíor-bhródúil as agus guímid gach rath air. As I said, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach who very much deserves this appointment. His expertise, knowledge of the Standing Orders of the House and courtesy show that it is not his first time in the Chair. Everybody realises he is eminently fit for the position he now holds. I congratulate him and all of his family.
I also congratulate the new Leader of the House, Senator Jerry Buttimer, who was one of the best hecklers when he was previously in the House. I believe it was former Senator Phil Prendergast who dubbed him "Senator Butt-in-more" on one occasion, but that is in no way to take from his substance. He is a fine politician who will make an excellent contribution. We look forward to witnessing his hard work, but he has his work cut out for him. It is a while since a Leader did not enjoy a majority in the House.
"New politics" has become an awful cliché, but we all look forward to working with each other. It is, in many way, the Seanad of all the talents. D'fhéadfainn a rá gur Seanad ildánach atá ann agus go bhfuil daoine le gach sórt scile agus saineolais anseo, idir ghnó, leigheas agus go leor rudaí eile.
This promises to be a very interesting time in the Seanad. We have all longed to prove to the public what the Seanad can be. During the Seanad abolition referendum campaign many of us pointed out that the way forward was not to abolish the Seanad, as some present wanted to do, but to show how it could be effective as a review Chamber and in bringing forward amendments not unduly subject to party Whips and so on. We have a real chance to show the people what a vital role the Seanad could play in the formulation of policy and legislation, in particular. It is down to us to prove it.
I congratulate everyone present, including those who perhaps would rather be in the other House, but I am sure they already realise they have come to a more transcendental place where a higher form of existence awaits them. Let us all surprise each other with our openness to new ideas and initiatives. Let us look forward to making a real contribution to what will I hope be the continued recovery of the country.
I add my voice to all of the other in congratulating Senator Denis O'Donovan on being elected Cathaoirleach. What will be required in the coming months and, I hope, years will be exactly what the Cathaoirleach has done, namely, exude calmness. It will also require a relaxed person who will sit back and listen to the debate, who will move the debate along and who will ensure it comes a finality but also a result. I have watched Senator Denis O'Donovan do just that in the Chair in the past five years. It is extremely important. Experience is important, but if the person in the Chair does not show energy, calmness and interest in the debate, he or she will be quickly found out by Senators. I should have said at the outset that I am delighted to be sitting here with 42 new Senators and some of the old fogies such as Senator Diarmuid Wilson from the previous Seanad.
What will be needed in this Seanad and which I say against my own party and the other party in government on the previous occasion is more respect for the House, Senators and the work we must do in it. In the previous Seanad I sat long hours on many occasions. I held four spokesmanships and treated each of them with the proper merit it deserved. However, I sat here with Ministers who did not show respect to the House. If we are to get work done and if the Government wants to get legislation through, we are now in a completely different world in terms of numbers and the numbers game. What I would like to go out from here today is that the Government should respect us and we will respect it. If someone comes here with an attitude in terms of what one thinks about this House or otherwise, one will go out with a different attitude because respect will not be reciprocated.
I stood against my own party and canvassed for the retention of the Seanad. I have seen 13 reports on Seanad reform. For me, the most positive reform would be the willingness of the party in government to listen to good debate in this House from all quarters and to act and amend legislation, where necessary. That would not require any reform. It would require a Cathaoirleach with common sense and respect from the Ministers who come here. All 60 Senators have their own qualities, ability, integrity, knowledge and expertise. If we put all of them together, we will get better legislation on behalf of the people. That would be my wish.
I congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer on his role. Like others here, I knew him first as a councillor. I also congratulate the other leaders, Senators Catherine Ardagh, Rose Conway-Walsh and my own leader, Senator Ivana Bacik. I hope we can work well together, but we will have disagreements. That is part of democracy. We will vote against and with each other. That is also part of democracy. At the end of the day, however, our job is to see good legislation leave this House after we have put our stamp on it. I look forward to doing this.
Before I call Senator BrianÓ Domhnaill, I mention one of my people who travelled with me today and who worked tirelessly and voluntarily for many years for me as a Deputy, a Senator and a councillor. He escaped to the other gallery. I refer to Mr. Jimmy Collins, a former president of the INTO. My apologies for neglecting to mention him earlier.
Ba mhaith liom i dtús báire comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis na Seanadóirí úra tofa atá anseo inniu. Tá a fhios agam gur lá mór atá ann dóibh agus dá dteaghlaigh agus daoine muinteartha. Ba mhaith liom fosta comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le mo chomhghleacaithe go léir atá atofa anseo arís agus a bhfuil anseo chun seirbhís a dhéanamh ar son an Stáit sa thréimhse amach romhainn. Is dócha gurb é an rud is mó a theastaíonn uaim a rá ná comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh leat féin, a Chathaoirligh, tar éis duit bheith tofa anseo mar an 23ú Cathaoirleach ar Sheanad Éireann.
Tá gliondar croí orm go bhfuil tú tofa. Tá dílseacht bainte amach agat don Stát thar thréimhse fhada - níos mó ná scór go leith bliain. D'obair tú go crua anseo le cúig bliana anuas agus fiú roimhe sin nuair a chuaigh tú i ngleic go trom leis an dúshlán a bhaineann leis an tseirbhís phoiblí. Tá obair mhaith déanta agat thar ceann do lucht toghchánaíochta thar thréimhse fhada. Tá mé lán-cinnte go gcuirfidh tú seirbhís iontach isteach sa ról úr atá agat anois. Guím gach uile rath ort féin go pearsanta agus fosta ar do chlann agus ar do bhean, Eileen.
I congratulate everyone who was re-elected and also new Members who are here for the first time. It is a momentous occasion to be elected or appointed to one's own Parliament. I congratulate each and every colleague and particularly their families, especially those of the new Members.
The tone of the discussion has been very reflective, rightly so. We have elected one of our own to lead the House as Cathaoirleach. If I am not mistaken, he is the 23rd Cathaoirleach of the Seanad since the foundation of the State. The 20th Cathaoirleach, Rory Kiely, is among us today in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Senator Denis O’Donovan will do the State incredible service as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann in the coming period. His is a distinguished office. He has been a colleague of mine since I was first appointed to the Seanad in 2007. He has been diligent, effective, selfless and energetic and always put the needs of others before his own. I am delighted to see him elected today. I wish him well.
It is a great day for west Cork and the Sheep's Head Peninsula. I had the distinguished honour of visiting Sheep's Head a short few years ago at the Senator’s request. I noted there the esteem in which he is held by his own people. He has done his own people in west Cork a great honour in being elected here today. I wish him well and also the people of west Cork and his family, including his partner Eileen and his boys.
A friend of many of the Senators is in the Visitors Gallery today, namely, former Senator Francis O'Brien who served here for many years. He will be very happy, with Rory Kiely. It is great to see former Members with many years of experience. Perhaps they might give us the benefit of some of that experience in the next while.
I wish the Cathaoirleach well. I congratulate the new Leader of Seanad Éireann, Senator Jerry Buttimer. I also congratulate and wish well the leader of the Fianna Fáil group, an Seanadóir Catherine Ardagh, who spoke so eloquently.
Guím fad saoil agus gach rath ar an gCathaoirleach. He should remember he is only one of 23. Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Guím fad saoil agat agus gach rath ort.
I thought the Senator was referring to the pelagic group of 23 for a while. He was making me worried.
That is a different debate.
Cromwell, in his travels through Ireland, never visited Sheep’s Head because he said it was inhabited by wild boars and wild birds. Thankfully, we were spared his visit.
Despite my youthful appearance and status as a new Senator, I have the distinction of having come into the Seanad with the Cathaoirleach in 1989. I have very fond memories of that time. It is for that reason I congratulate him. Since that time I have known him as an absolute gentleman. He brings his gentlemanly qualities into his interaction with colleagues. They are a facet of all aspects of his life and the reason he is in politics.
He is here to do good and will be an excellent Cathaoirleach. I congratulate him warmly.
I congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer, a colleague and friend with whom I served in a previous Seanad, on his selection as Leader. He is a person of great intelligence and personal courage within his personal life and in the public arena. I congratulate him warmly. I will leave the more ponderous remarks to another day when we discuss Seanad reform, which is a debate in which I would like to take part and, on this felicitous day of camaraderie, welcome my former colleague and friend from County Monaghan, Francie O'Brien. I acknowledge my other constituency colleague who has been reinstated as Fianna Fáil Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson. He must be doing something right.
I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and wish him well for the next two, three, four or five years. I commiserate with my friend, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh, whom I am delighted to see here today. We are coming from a background of very difficult times in the past 35 years. Today, Ireland is the 12th most peaceful country on the planet. A lot of people from all political parties have worked extremely hard to bring that situation about with the Anglo-Irish Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement and its implementation. In the last Dáil I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. A great deal of good work has been done there and it is great today to see Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile coming down from Belfast as a Member of the Seanad. He will be a valued Member.
I would like to ensure we talk about a united Ireland. We need to unite the people of Ireland. I was in Wales yesterday for the opening of the Welsh Assembly. There is a Parliament in Scotland, an Assembly in Northern Ireland, a House of Commons and a House of Lords and this House, with the Dáil, and a lot more work can be done to bring together politicians from all parts to see what is done. In this building in the last three or four years, we have had meetings of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association with MLAs coming from the North and meeting in this room, but it has gone unnoticed because it has not been reported on. It has meant a huge difference for me in getting to know politicians from the other side. We sat in this Chamber and Stormont.
There will be a great many serious issues to debate and I look forward to debating them. I was honoured to be a Member here from 2002 to 2007 and I am also honoured to be the Taoiseach's nominee. He chose extremely well. We talk about politics and it is a race to the bottom sometimes, but politicians come from their own backgrounds. Everyone here comes from a background that they can contribute. We were not all born politicians. We were born in business or academia or wherever else. I am very happy that there are so many Independents and parties here today who are willing to contribute. They will contribute very well to the next Seanad. The coming weeks will tell on one issue, which is the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom. Whatever happens will have profound implications for the State. Whatever happens in the coming months, I look forward to the debate in the Seanad on the implications of Britain staying in or going out. I am delighted to be here and look forward to working with the Cathaoirleach and everyone else to ensure this will be the best Seanad we have ever had.
Senator Mark Daly mentioned my humble background and the fact that I had been fortunate that Donogh O'Malley had introduced free education in 1967.
A few of us received an education. My first leap into secondary education was at the old boys club in Bantry, which was no more than a glorified shed. My class was small and seven of them have, unfortunately, since gone to their eternal reward. I forgot earlier that one of my classmates, Phelim O'Sullivan, and his wife, Jane, are in the Visitors Gallery. We go back a long way. He felt that going beyond the junior certificate, then called the intermediate certificate, was probably a leap too far for me. At least I am here now. I welcome them, with my daughter-in-law, Claire, who has just come into the Visitors Gallery.
I join in all the words of congratulations to the Cathaoirleach, commiserate with my Mayo colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh, and congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer. I look forward to working with him. He will make a very fine Leader. I understand the Cathaoirleach holds the distinction of having spoken for 28 hours on a piece of legislation, the Harbours (Amendment) Bill. I am sure he will show great latitude when we feel very impassioned about particular topics. That topic is close to my heart. I wish the Cathaoirleach, his partner and his family well. I hope it will be a very enjoyable tenure for him and know that he will do a very fine job.
We have had many congratulatory statements, rightly so. While we have focused on what is happening in the Chamber today, the public are asking when we are going to get on with the work. I propose that we take a motion that this House will sit tomorrow to debate one of a number of matters. We could take maiden speeches from those who wish to make maiden speeches. We have heard about the case of Ibrahim Halawa and the issues around Brexit and housing. We have former Ministers in the House who would have much to say about health issues. Now that all 60 Senators are on the payroll and are here and ready to work, we should get down to work. Let us get on with the new politics tomorrow rather than waiting. I see no reason we should not do so.
It is a long point of order, but I must rule it out of order. Standing Orders require the Seanad to fix a date for the election of the Cathaoirleach, immediately followed by the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. This is a constitutional provision which is also set out in Standing Orders. Whether we like it, under Standing Orders, a minimum notice period of four working days must be served before the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I researched the point when I felt I might become Cathaoirleach. Unfortunately, we will have no Order of Business today. The only purpose for which we are called here today is to elect a Cathaoirleach and the other business must take place after the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach next week. I have no choice in that, given that, even if we were to proceed with the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach tomorrow, there would be objections that it was against Standing Orders. I am bound by this constitutional provision and hope the Senator will submit to my ruling.
Is the House allowed to suspend Standing Orders to bring forward a motion to sit tomorrow?
No, unfortunately. I think it is mentioned in Standing Order 179. There is no Order of Business today. That is how it is framed. With regret, not satisfaction, I must rule against the Senator on this occasion. I understand where he is coming from and perhaps the issue can be raised on the next occasion. That is why I was asking the Leader when it was proposed to sit to elect the Leas-Chathaoirleach.