Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On this very happy occasion, I am sure that I speak on behalf of all Members when I extend a very warm welcome to Deputy Helen McEntee. On my behalf and on behalf of all Members, I hope that her time here will be productive and happy. It will be good, in my personal view, to see another young Deputy contributing on many occasions to Dáil debates. Today is a special day for Deputy McEntee and her family. She is very welcome.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not know whether it is traditional, but I just want to say that it is a privilege and an honour to see another young Deputy elected to Dáil Éireann. I wish Helen many happy years of representation for the people of east Meath following in the footsteps of her late dad. I am sure that she will make a very fine representative indeed for the people of east Meath during her stay here.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join with the Taoiseach in welcoming Deputy Helen McEntee as a Member of Dáil Éireann. I wish her a long and productive Membership.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On behalf of my party and personally, I welcome Deputy Helen McEntee to the House. I again congratulate her on her success in the by-election. She is following a great tradition in the work laid down by her father before her. Deputy McEntee has proven herself and when she has asserted herself she will be a capable legislator in this House. I look forward to engaging with her, as do party members, on a mutually consensual basis on a range of legislative initiatives that she will no doubt take on board. I learned a lot about Meath East for well over six to eight weeks. I can assure Deputy Helen McEntee that she will hear a lot about the experience I had in Meath East in the weeks and months ahead.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I too, on behalf of Sinn Féin, welcome Deputy McEntee to the House. It is not alone the case that she is a young Member - I understand she is the youngest Member of the Dáil – but she is also a young woman Member of the Dáil. I wish her very well.

When Deputy McEntee was elected she recorded that it was a bittersweet moment for her on the loss of her lovely father. It is never sweet in here but neither is it bitter. We all look forward to working with her and wish her the very best.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I too am delighted on behalf of the Independent Deputies to welcome Deputy Helen McEntee here today. We have fond memories of her late dad, the Minister of State. He was friends with all of us. It is a very poignant moment for her and her family who are present in happier circumstances today. I wish her well and offer the support of the Independents in working with Deputy McEntee during her term as a Member.