Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I have nothing to add. The late Jimmy Tully, another man for whom I had great respect, was appointed Minister for Defence in 1981 when I was a new Member of the House. He was also a Minister from 1973 to 1977 but he was not a director of elections; neither were former Deputy Peter Barry or former Deputy Dick Spring. However, it is an interesting point and even if they had been directors of elections, there would not have been any opposition from our side of the House at the time.

I make no apologies to Senator McCarthy for being so long in Government.