Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I agree with Senator McCarthy. We have agreed to an all-day debate on the fishing industry. There is a great amount of jobs and potential in this area. The criminal offences to which Senators McCarthy and O'Donovan referred must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, who was a distinguished Member of the House as front bench spokesperson on finance. I thank him for listening to the views of Senators following various elections.

I pay tribute to the men and women of all political parties, particularly those in Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, and particularly the party that I have been privileged to be a member of, Fianna Fáil. Some of the most outstanding men and women in the history of the party, through no fault of their own, lost their seats in this election. It is a loss to the local authority system. I hope they continue to represent their communities and parishes. We look forward to the day they return to public life. These people are of the highest integrity and ability. They put themselves before the people and many have, unfortunately, been rejected. They suffered because of a national situation and the worst recession in our lifetime and since the 1930s. The Government had to take unpopular decisions because of this. I compliment the chairman of the Green Party and the Deputy Leader of this House, who is in the Chamber, for the responsive role the party is playing in government, along with the Progressive Democrats.