I was given a copy of the Trinity College Dublin student newspaper, the Trinity News, today. I note in it, to my sadness, that Senator Norris, a member of the Independent Group, has decided that he will be standing down as a Senator in January 2024. I ask that, given that the Christmas season will soon be upon us, adequate provision will be made in this House to signal our deep sense of loyalty and gratitude to Senator Norris for 36 years of service in these Houses. I was writing an article for tomorrow's edition of The Irish Times on a different topic and I was including passages from the Supreme Court's judgment in the Norris case to emphasise that it matters who is on the Supreme Court and I was contrasting the majority decision with the minority decision. As I was reading the judgment, I was wondering how Senator Norris must have felt when it was handed down. The judgment effectively said that his constitutional rights of privacy were not to be upheld, and it took the European Court of Human Rights and a decision of the Dáil some 12 years later to render him justice. He fought his battle valiantly. I know we will do something more elaborate at some time in the future but since this will be in the public domain as of today, bearing in mind that journalists will have access to this interview in the Trinity News, I wanted to mark this occasion and express, on a preliminary basis, my deep sense of friendship, gratitude and loyalty to a member of my group.

I am glad the Senator said it was on a preliminary basis because Senator Norris has not yet informed the Seanad Office in writing of his intention to retire. It would be appropriate to mark that, given that the Senator raised it and that many of us were aware of the situation. We will pay tribute in future to the father of the House. Senator Norris has, as Senator McDowell has said, been a Member of this House for 36 years and he has been a champion of equality and diversity. As the Senator rightly said, Senator Norris took a court case when the issue was not popular and when it was a minority viewpoint. I owe Senator Norris a huge debt of gratitude. He is a person I have admired from afar and from working with him in this House. He has been a huge help to me in my political and personal life and many of us in the LGBT community owe Senator Norris a debt of gratitude that words could not adequately cover. I mention his bravery and courage in taking on the State and going to the European Court. His participation in this House and his help of many of us as younger Members of the House, will never be forgotten by us. We will pay tribute to him and thank him in a more formal setting.

The Seanad and the Houses of the Oireachtas will be a poorer place with his retirement. He will probably not be retired for long from his many good acts but we wish him well and thank him for his many years of service. Anois, glaoim ar an Seanadóir Malcolm Byrne.

Like the Cathaoirleach, I wish to echo the tributes to Senator Norris. As he has not informed the Clerk officially, there may yet be time to persuade him to change his mind. In fact, some of the deserved glowing tributes might do that. Having just learned of the interview, as Senator McDowell has informed us, I would certainly support Senator McDowell's suggestion that we acknowledge not just Senator Norris's contribution to this Chamber but to Irish life generally.

I raise the Government's very welcome decision today to apply to join CERN, one of the world's leading research communities. As the Acting Leader will be aware, we have had statements in the House on CERN and I have introduced a number of motions on the matter. I have probably annoyed people more about that organisation than anyone else has. This decision sends a very positive message to Ireland's science and research community.

What we need is a CERN strategy now. Not only must we join CERN but we must look at ways in which Ireland can contribute to and benefit from it. Many people were involved in getting this decision over the line. I pay tribute to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris, and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Dara Calleary, who was very supportive. This would not have happened without the work of a significant number of research students, the Institute of Physics and a number of our universities. I pay tribute to Michael Mitchell, Matthew Fenlon and many other research students who came together and pushed very strongly for Ireland to finally join CERN.

I welcome the Government's decision to apply for associate membership and move towards full membership. I ask that we invite the Minister, Deputy Harris, to the House to set out a strategy for benefiting from CERN membership.