Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I, too, join with the Taoiseach in extending our congratulations to Archbishop Seán Brady on his elevation to the College of Cardinals. This is a very deserved recognition of Archbishop Brady's contribution on a number of levels. I concur with the Taoiseach in particular on the very quiet but nevertheless committed way Archbishop Brady played an important and very helpful and encouraging role in the earliest days of the peace process. I recall particularly having the opportunity to participate in an event outside of this island of which Archbishop Brady and his counterpart, the former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, were co-hosts. It is important that his role, often unseen and unrecognised and rarely acknowledged, is recorded in the House today.

I have no doubt this is a very important decision for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, for the members of that church throughout the island of Ireland, but it is also a particularly welcome announcement for the people of Archbishop Brady's native County Cavan in my constituency. A native son of County Cavan, he is regarded with great pride and is held in high regard by the people of his native county. Today's announcement will be welcomed very particularly in the Breffni county.

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