Cormac Ó Braonáin and insurance
Senator Horkan offered condolences on Cormac Ó Braonáin’s death, thanked staff, and backed the secretarial assistants’ motion. He also raised the long-running insurance issue and the need for a debate.
I will not quote Charles Dickens. Senator Marshall quoted Dolly Parton earlier, which might be the first time she has been quoted in the Seanad.
On a sad note, I wish to pass on my sympathies to the family of the late Cormac Ó Braonáin. I did not know him but I know many people involved in youth politics in Fianna Fáil and other organisations who did. He lived close to where I live. His passing is very sad. I pass on my condolences to his family, friends and all of his support base. It is clear that he was a very gifted and popular young man. I pass on my sympathies to all who knew him.
On a happier note, I wish a very happy Christmas to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Cathaoirleach, Senators, their staff, our Leader and his staff. I do not think anyone elected to the Seanad approximately three and a half years ago thought we would get this far. It is great that we have. Although some legislation took a significant period to be passed, other legislation has been dealt with very efficiently. This Seanad has dealt with many Bills. Last week, I compiled a summary of the parliamentary party business in the Seanad for the Fianna Fáil national executive. A significant volume of legislation was dealt with in this term. Credit is due to all who work on every side of the House to improve and, ultimately, pass legislation. We have more business to do this afternoon. I thank everyone across the House. The staff of the Seanad Office are small in number but great in quality and very efficient in everything they do. I thank all the staff of the Houses.
Comment on this
From the minute we walk in to the minute we walk out, we are looked after very well. I thank all the staff. I wish all Senators and their families a very happy Christmas.
I support the motion on secretarial assistants which I, along with almost every other Senator, signed.
The insurance issue with which Senator Paddy Burke and others and I have been dealing at the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach has been going on for a long time. It is a work in progress. We are now seeing some of the data we have been seeking for a long time. We need to have a debate on insurance in early course when we return in the new year.