Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Senator, wish him luck and hope his book is widely read by young people so they might understand the challenges that face those considering entering public life.

I wish to respond to Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Regan, Norris and Coghlan on the Standards in Public Offices Commission. The decision was taken by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Cowen and in my opinion there is no more qualified person than the individual proposed. I had the opportunity to serve on two occasions in Seanad Éireann with Mr. Michael Smith and he is exceptional in that he was a member of a county council, a Senator, a Dáil Deputy, a Minister of State and a Minister. He served in this House with great distinction and did what few could do in topping the poll in two different panels in two Seanad elections.