Tributes were paid on both sides of the House to the retiring High Court President, Mr Justice Declan Costello. The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, described him as one of the finest jurists of his generation.
He had had a very distinguished career in political life and as a member of the judiciary, said the Minister. He had made an enormous contribution to jurisprudence in this State.
"He was blessed with one of the finest and clearest legal minds that this country has had the privilege to know. I join with Senators in wishing him every possible happiness in his well-deserved retirement.
"It is my sincere wish that he will continue to contribute to the public life of this country through writings and lectures."
The Fine Gael leader in the Seanad, Mr Maurice Manning, recalled that Mr Costello had been a distinguished Attorney General and Dail Deputy. "I was greatly inspired by him when I was a student in the 1960s."