Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I did not intend to comment on the appointment of Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as Commissioner. However, as my friend and colleague, Senator Leyden, raised the issue and congratulated Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on her future appointment, as a close friend of Ms Geoghegan-Quinn who has been familiar with all aspects of her life, I, too, will comment. As a person of great ability, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn will make a superb appointment and will do her job extremely well. She has presence, superb academic ability and is in touch with all the leaders of the European Union member states. I have great confidence that she will represent Ireland with panache and ability and will not let us down. I hope and believe she will be given a good brief given her contacts with Commission President Barroso. I wish her the best of luck. I cannot allow Senator Leyden to assume the role of issuing an invitation to Ms Geoghegan-Quinn to visit the Seanad. As a close friend, I would like to invite her.