Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I endorse all that has been said so far, particularly in regard to Mr. John McCabe. Those of us who used the offices located in Kildare House came to know John particularly well. We missed seeing him as often when we moved over here, although he spends much of his time around this part of Leinster House. The greatest tribute that could be paid to him is that he will be talked about for long after he is gone. The stories about him are legion. As was remarked, he attended various committee meetings and kept us all very much in line. He is well known for his kindness. My children got great pleasure from being shown how to work the elevator by him when on a visit here. He is that sort of man. I heard that during one committee meeting a visitor was rebuked by him for taking off his jacket. The man protested that there were others with their jackets off, to which John retorted that they were Members. He had a great awareness of the respect that should be shown to Members of the Oireachtas. I wish him well, particularly as he has endured his own personal trauma. The way he dealt with that trauma was an example to us all.

Will the Leader convey the thanks of this House and the wider public to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and, in turn, to Ambassador Richard Ryan and the diplomatic staff at the United Nations for the outstanding job Ireland has done during its membership of the Security Council, which comes to an end on 31 December? When Ireland joined the Security Council, it received one of the highest ever votes which is an indication of the standing in which this country is held worldwide. Most of those votes came from African and other Third World countries. During its two year membership, Ireland responded to the main priorities those countries felt should be highlighted at the Security Council.

This year, Ambassador Ryan, through his chairmanship of the Angola committee, presided over the end of what was the most savage and long-lasting civil wars in that country's history. Through our overseas aid in Africa we have highlighted human rights issues and, in more recent times, the Minister for Foreign Affairs earned great kudos for the manner in which he led, along with other smaller, non-aligned countries, the move to ensure that the UN has an enhanced role in terms of the Iraqi question.

When those factors are taken into account, Ireland's role has been considerably improved and enhanced internationally. In addition, we have contributed to enhancing the role of the United Nations to the point where the major remaining superpower is still deferring to the United Nations. I pray to God it continues to do so.

Ireland, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Brian Cowen, Ambassador Ryan and all the diplomatic staff involved in our contribution to the Security Council can hold their heads high. We can be extremely proud of our representatives and it is yet another example of the famous line by Robert Emmet: "Let my epitaph be written when we take our place among the nations of the earth". We have now done so. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me make that point. I hope the Leader will convey to the Minister the grateful thanks of this nation for the outstanding contribution of our diplomatic staff.