Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Many Senators offered congratulations to the new Taoiseach. Yesterday's scenes of joy and celebration in Leinster House among those from the Taoiseach's county of Offaly were a sight to behold. It is a united county when it comes to politics, with no candidate from our party canvassing individually. I wish the Taoiseach all the luck in the world. As Senator Ó Murchú observed, the new hope offered us by the aspirations and visions set forth yesterday by the new Taoiseach has uplifted all of us in the profession of politics. We look forward to serving him and working with him for the long-term benefit of the people.

I congratulate the eight Ministers who have taken up new portfolios. Some of them have vast experience, while two are first-time Ministers. I congratulate the new Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who is a former Member of this House and has a great deal of experience. I also congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, a near neighbour of mine. He was strongly associated with the late John Wilson, a former Minister and Tánaiste, whom he served loyally when he began his career in politics. I know Senator O'Reilly's good wishes to the Minister were genuine. The two have always been closely identified, particularly when they were in UCD together.