Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I join my colleagues in welcoming the return of Sharon Commins and her Ugandan friend to safety. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Micheál Martin, the Department of Foreign Affairs, GOAL and the many people who assisted the family through the more than 100 days of the two women's captivity. This has brought joy to everybody, particularly all those who prayed day and night for their safe return. We can celebrate and rejoice in the return of Sharon. I join Senator Carty and other Senators in their remarks on that.

Senator O'Toole raised No. 31, motion 35 and expressed his views on it. We are elected to this Chamber by a double electorate. The Deputies must get themselves elected to have a vote for the Seanad, as must the hard-working and dedicated county councillors along with Members of the outgoing Seanad. There is real democracy at work with regard to our electorate, as far as I am concerned. I have no difficulty in taking that point-----