Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom tacú leis an rún comhghairdeais atá ráite ag an Tánaiste as ucht togha Caitríona Ní Mhurchú don Teach agus togha Shane Mac an tSaoi don Teach mar bhall de pháirtí Fine Gael. I associate myself with the remarks made by the Tánaiste. I am a product of a by-election. I remember coming down the steps of the House to rapturous applause when the late Denis Jones was in the Chair.

The same words were said then that things would not be the same as they were on that day. It seems the same crowd was in the gallery, in the bar and outside. I welcome both Deputies to Dáil Éireann. They have been sent here by the people to represent them in their views without fear or favour. I did not have much interaction with Deputy Murphy in Kildare North, but she fought a great campaign and credit is due to her and her supporters.

I am particularly happy with the election of Deputy Shane McEntee to the Dáil to fill the seat vacated by former Deputy John Bruton. I compliment the people of Meath on making that decision. In 2002, the people of Meath gave 47% of the vote to Fianna Fáil and 25% to Fine Gael. I am very happy to see Deputy McEntee's parents and family in the gallery as well as his supporters. For them, this is a signal honour. It is a great honour for someone to be elected by secret ballot by their peers. I wish Deputy McEntee a long sojourn in this House championing the rights of the people of Meath.

I have cut out the statement made by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dempsey, which I might produce again in due course. I know the Minister personally and I know he did not mean any personal vindictiveness by the comments he made in County Meath. This was a very intense, tribal conflict in the royal county and I am happy that for the first time since 1927, the supporters of the Fine Gael Party have something to crow about in the county.

I wish both Deputies every success in the Dáil. They may be more successful in getting answers to the representations they make than many of us have been in the past few years. I hope they enjoy the experience of being public representatives as it is an honour to represent the people. I wish them good fortune and health in the times ahead.

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