Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy Kenny it was welcome news to hear at the weekend of the successful outcome of the negotiations to secure the safe return here of Sharon Commins and of Hilda Kawuki to her family in Kampala. I join with everyone in the House in welcoming that outcome. I also thank all of those people who worked so hard, skilfully and patiently over such a long time to achieve it. I recognise the people in the Sudanese Administration who were helpful and co-operated with our efforts in this regard. Finally, I pay tribute to the family of Sharon Commins who at all times, despite great distress and difficulty, showed a wonderful understanding and comprehension of the sensitivity of the situation and the need to enable those who were charged to do so to continue in their discussions and interactions with the authorities in that part of the world in an effort to return Sharon to safety. I was impressed by their fortitude and discretion during what was a very difficult time, despite the long time involved.

On the other matter raised, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Hay, and the Ceann Comhairle's predecessor took a keen interest in developing relationships between the Oireachtas and the Assembly and used their respective positions of leadership as a means of advancing the base upon which trust and confidence could be built. We look forward to the establishment of the North-South parliamentary body in due course. A great deal of work and effort in this regard has been done by the Speaker and outgoing Ceann Comhairle. I am sure the current incumbent will continue this work.

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