Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháíl le Piaras Ó Dochartaigh ar bheith tofa mar Teachta Dála do Dhún na nGall Thiar Theas sa toghchán a bhí againn an tseachtain seo caite. Is lá bródúil é an lá inniu dó féín agus dá chlann agus ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis. I congratulate Pearse Doherty on his election as a Deputy in the by-election in Donegal South-West. It is a proud day for him and his family - I recall a similar occasion myself.

I am pleased to say that the circumstances in which the vacancy came about were not as a result of the death of the incumbent but rather the fact that Pat "the Cope" Gallagher has gone to the European Parliament having been elected a Deputy in the last general election for the constituency. As leader of Fianna Fáil it would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to put on record our appreciation for the wonderful work he did throughout his time as a Deputy for that constituency on behalf of our party and the people of Donegal South-West.

I offer my congratulations to Deputy Pearse Doherty. It is his day today. The hustings beckon a good deal closer than would be the case normally but I wish him well and it is a great day for his family.

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