Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to offer some words of welcome. Ba mhaith liom fáilte mór a chur roimh an Teachta nua do Dhún na nGall Thiar Theas, an Teachta Piaras Ó Dochartaigh. Gan dabht, thug muintir an Dáilcheantar sin freagra don Rialtas agus thacaigh siad leis an Teachta Ó Dochartaigh agus le Sinn Féin. I extend a warm welcome to the newly elected Deputy for Donegal South-West, Pearse Doherty. I also welcome his wife, Róisín, and his mother, Gráinne, who are both with us. I recognise that the weather has prevented many more people from attending, including family, friends and the extended organisation from Donegal South-West who, unfortunately, cannot be with us here today. Comhghairdeas leo agu fáilte rompu go léir. Deputy Doherty is deserving of every commendation for his courageous stand in vindicating the rights of the people of Donegal South-West through the courts and for his role as an elected representative of the people for many years, representation that has now secured the overwhelming support of the people in Donegal South-West in last week's by-election.

In particular, I commend the Sinn Féin organisation in Donegal South-West and throughout the country which mustered help to ensure the success of the recent campaign. Clearly, it is a forerunner of a general election that we hope will be held sooner rather than later. I reserve my final and most important thanks for the voters and electors of Donegal South-West, who responded magnificently to the appeal of Deputy Pearse Doherty and Sinn Féin when they accorded him such a resounding victory in last Thursday's poll. Go raibh céad míle maith acu uilig. The newly-elected Deputy Doherty will make his maiden contribution to the proceedings of the House at 8.20 p.m. this evening at the conclusion of Private Members' business. Go raibh céad míle maith agat arís. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Teachta Piaras Ó Dochartaigh.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Ba mhaith liom fáilte mór a chur roimh an Teachta Ó Dochartaigh. Mar aon leis an Taoiseach, is cuimhin liom go maith teacht isteach anseo i ndiadh fothoghchán blianta fada ó shin. Is cinnte gur lá bródúil é an lá inniu do Róisín agus do mháthair an Teachta nua, Gráinne. Mar duine a bhfuil gaol agam leis an Dáilcheantar Dún na nGall Thiar Theas, aontaím gur fíor go bhfuil an fáilte seo tuillte ag an Teachta. Tá súil agam go néireoidh go maith leis as ucht a chuid oibre a dhéanamh mar Theachta Dála ar son muintir Dáilcheantar Dhún na nGall Thiar Theas. Mar a dúirt an Taoiseach, tá olltoghchán ag teacht go luath.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Tiocfaidh bhúr lá.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deirim leis an Teachta nua nár cóir dó a scíth a ligint ach gur cóir a bheith gnóthach sna sléibhte agus sna bailtí móra agus na sráidbhailtí, mar beidh sé amuigh ag iarraidh vótaí arís go luath.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Thar chionn Páirtí an Lucht Oibre ba mhaith liom cur leis an fáilte roimh an Teachta Piaras Ó Dochartaigh. Ar ndóigh, is lá bródúil é dó féin, dá chlann, dá pháirtí agus dá lucht tacaíochta é a bheith tofa mar Theachta Dála. On behalf of the Labour Party I welcome Deputy Pearse Doherty and congratulate him on winning the Donegal South-West by-election. I have a feeling that his membership of this Dáil will be short-lived but that he will be around for some time in this House and I wish him well for the future.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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On behalf of the Green Party, I extend the same congratulations to Deputy Pearse Doherty. It is a proud day for him, his family and his party and we all recognise this.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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On behalf of the Independents I congratulate Deputy Pearse Doherty and welcome him to the Dáil. Also, I wish to say to his wife and mother that it is a great honour and privilege to serve in this House. I commend Deputy Doherty for the legal case he took. It was in the interests of the country and democracy and I look forward to working closely with him.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will we get the auld technical group before the budget?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Aontaím leis an fáilte agus an comhghairdeas. Go n-éirí an bóthar leis an Teachta sna blianta amach romhainn.