Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Thar ceann an Chomhaontais Glais, ba mhaith liomsa comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Murphy as toghchán a bhuachaint. Is mór an onóir é teacht anseo go Dáil Éireann do dhuine ar bith. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé tuilte go maith aici tar éis an méid oibre atá déanta aici thar na blianta fada. I extend my congratulations to Deputy Murphy, her family and her supporters in Kildare North, as well as to my party colleague, Councillor J. J. Power. In Meath, Deputy McEntee was a worthy winner in a hard fought contest. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis siúd chomh maith. Tá mé cinnte go bhfuil Fine Gael an-bhródúil as an mbua sin. Tá a fhios agam gur Teachta Dála maith a bheidh ann amach anseo. I thank my colleague Fergal O'Byrne for the valiant campaign that he ran on behalf of the Green Party in Meath.

I thank all the candidates involved for raising the vital issues which are there for us all to grapple with. These issues have clearly shown how the Government is pursuing a very damaging and unsustainable course. It makes family life more difficult, makes workers more car dependent and makes Ireland more oil dependent in the face of rising energy costs. Apart from giving us two hard-working TDs, the by-elections will hopefully set a clear agenda which will be addressed before the Government gets an even bigger fright in the next general election. It is certainly cruising for a bruising at this stage. The people of Meath and Kildare North have spoken loud and clear.

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