I thank the Senator.

I thank the Senator. You are a ferocious campaigner yourself. Anyone who can get elected in two constituencies simultaneously in any election is not to be underestimated. I call Senator Mullen.

I am sorry about that.

Can I congratulate Senator Mullen on his forbearance-----

I remind Senator Mullen there are no sinners in this Chamber.

I thank the Senator for his kind words and for his statement of intent in making sure there is no groupthink within the Seanad. Respectful debate is healthy. While the Senator and I have never always agreed on everything, we can always agree that the Seanad is about diversity of views and opinion, and then doing what is best for all the people as best we can. As a response to the previous speaker, I call Senator Seán Kyne.

I thank Senator Kyne for his work as Chief Whip. Given the numerical circumstances, I imagine it was a bit like herding mice at a crossroads on occasion. The Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, has an equally enormous task, given the make-up of the Government and the challenges facing the country. I now call my Fianna Fáil colleague, Senator O'Loughlin.

Go raibh míle maith agat. We are all aware of the Senator's great work on inclusion and in respect of the Special Olympics and the work she did over many years on that. It is fitting and appropriate that she would mention her parents, Jimmy and Mary, today as we are all grateful for the support of so many who got us to this Chamber. I thank her for her work on the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 when it went to the Dáil, ensuring that the inclusion she is passionate about came to fruition with what was essentially civ…

Can I interrupt? I thank Senator Craughwell for the praise but let us be honest, beginning with Senators David Norris and Michael McDowell, there is definitely a long list ahead of myself. I thank the Senator anyway.

I thank Senator Craughwell for his words about Detective Garda Horkan and his sacrifice on behalf of the State. I thank him for his work on reaching out to the unionist community. I hope does not mind me mentioning it, but he attended an event I would find difficult to attend. It was an event for the Ulster Defence Regiment, UDR. The UDR was at one time the largest regiment in the British Army and the Senator was asked to be its guest speaker. Most people would shy away from tough talk at an event like that but he …

I thought he was going somewhere.

I thank Senator Murphy for his words on working with everybody in the House. It would be remiss of me not to mention the fact that he is a neighbour of Grace Coyle and the Coyles and Murphys have been living in the same parish for many a long year and work together for the betterment of the community. Eugene is walking backwards for charity in his home community for a great cause, so if anyone sees Eugene accidentally walking backwards around the House it is because he is getting in some practice. Any support for E…

I thank Senator Dolan. It was a pleasure to meet her on that famous campaign she spoke about, at a fundraiser for the Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council. Sometimes we think we are shooting fish in a barrel but sometimes we can go to an event when canvassing in a Seanad election and misremember the name of a particular councillor and end up shooting ourselves in the foot instead of shooting fish in a barrel.

Senator Wall mentioned the issue of family and of the sacrifice his family has made because of his time in public service and because of the fact that he is away so much. Many Members rely on their families, who give up a lot because of the fact that their loved ones are involved in public service. I call the great Senator Boyhan.

I thank Senator Boyhan. I remember meeting him on those famous campaigns but I can tell him one thing: I would learn a lot more from him than I would on my own experience. He is a master of the Seanad. His passion for Seanad reform and representing councillors around the country is well known and recognised by all. I now call a man from Galway city, Senator Crowe.

I thank Senator Crowe. Of course, his brother Mike was mayor on that occasion. I think I arrived a bit late to the house. It was a public house. The good news is that the bar was shut. Senator Crowe was cleaning up. I think it was 1.30 a.m. or 2 a.m. but he was still there doing a bit of cleaning. My uncle Brian might have been there as well - I am not too sure. I think he had been there earlier. He might have gone home. After that I think one option I had was to get a hotel bed for a couple of hours and then get b…

That was very generous of the Senator.

There were a few of those, all right.

Go raibh míle maith agat. Political cousins is correct and I apologise for any embarrassment caused by any of my previous activities. I hope I will not repeat any of the mistakes of the past and will learn from them. I thank Senator Paul Daly for all his work on the agriculture committee. He was not just a voice on the committee, but a champion plougher as well. He brings vast experience and does great work holding Government and the Department to account when it gets things wrong. He is a great voice. I call Senat…

I thank the Senator. We discussed the issue of the gender pay gap in the lobby before we came in here. Senator Bacik and Fianna Fáil Senators, including Senator Clifford-Lee, were very much involved in that issue. I have been told we need to pass the motion on the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. I am sure Senator McDowell knows the urgency of that issue. Much as I would love the Senators to keep talking nicely about me for hours on end, I ask Members to keep their contributions as brief as possible…