Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I join with other Members in congratulating Senators Donohoe, John Paul Phelan and Alex White and, in particular, former Senator Alan Kelly on their participation in the various recent elections. We should also acknowledge it is the backroom team that plays a large role in an election campaign, sometimes in a candidate's favour. On others, the banana skin causes some problems.

Senator Doherty is wrong when he claims the moral authority was taken from the Government last Friday. Those I have spoken with have let me know we have made mistakes. I will put my hand up and admit the Government and this side of the House have made serious mistakes. I have raised some of those issues with my parliamentary party.