John Carty (Fianna Fail)

I join my colleagues in proposing a vote of congratulations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, because I know he adopted a hands-on approach to the freeing of Sharon Commins and her friend, Hilda Kawuki. I have been in contact with him on a number of occasions because Sharon's father is from my area, in which her extended family live. They, too, have gone through a hard time for the past 107 days. I greet her grandmother, uncle and aunt. I congratulate the Minister, the Department, GOAL and all the other agencies which set out in a meaningful manner to obtain her freedom. I am delighted the President will invite the family to Áras an Uachtaráin for a lunch or similar reception.