On behalf of the liberal liberal wing of Fianna Fáil, and on my own behalf-----

The neoliberal wing.

It is probably the same thing. I am delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate Senator Norris on a remarkable achievement. Apart from the fun and everything else, he will go down in the history books and be remembered for a long time for the fearless way in which he championed the rights of the gay community. Through his lead, he has made the enjoyment of life possible for thousands and thousands of gay men and women.

I was probably a college student when Senator Norris was busy in his project centre in Temple Bar. He was fighting a hard battle and did not have much support from any wings of the establishment, but he did it anyway. It must have been a wonderful example for people who were in the closet. Rightly so, because there was no tolerance shown at all for members of the gay community. I salute the Senator for that.

I also salute him for his erudition. He is an adornment to the Seanad. Whenever he is on his feet, visitors get great value. There is no doubt about that – he is the star of the show. He is a good advertisement for the Seanad and what it can achieve.

The Cathaoirleach gave me a bad fright. I was watching this on television. I knew that Senator Norris was alive because I had seen him in the corridor. Perish the thought, but I then wondered whether the Senator had resigned.

Never.

I am glad to find out that this is just a happy occasion.

Before concluding, and speaking as a half-Corkman, I congratulate the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, on being elevated to the position of Tánaiste. I am not in any great hurry for this, but I also welcome in prospect the elevation of his constituency colleague, Deputy Micheál Martin, to be the next Cork Taoiseach in the footsteps of the great Jack Lynch.

The Senator will be waiting for that.