Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I too congratulate Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and her husband, John, on her appointment as Commissioner. I have known Ms Geoghegan-Quinn since I worked with her in the by-election of 1975. I can still recall her cavalcade making its way from Rahoon to Salthill, with hundreds of cars following hers. There was great enthusiasm among her supporters for this girl with enormous ability. As other speakers observed, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn has been an outstanding public representative both at home and abroad. She is vastly capable and experienced, and was one of the best Ministers for Justice in the history of the State.