Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I genuinely congratulate Deputy Murphy on her election in Kildare North. I hope she enjoys her time in Leinster House. We will not always be as civil to them as we are today. We should remember the two Deputies whose resignation from the House caused the by-elections. Former Deputy John Bruton is now the EU ambassador in Washington, while former Deputy Charlie McCreevy is the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market. They were both outstanding Members of this House over the years and will be a hard act to follow. We look forward to the engagement of the new Deputies with the Government and the Opposition during the remaining life of this Dáil and beyond.

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