Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Senator Ó Brolcháin to the House and congratulate him on a fantastic election success. Senators on this side were delighted when he was given such a great endorsement by both parties in government. The mutual support shown by the Government parties in elections to the House showed their sense of unity. I also welcome to the House Senator Ó Brolcháin's wife, Niamh, and other members of his family who have travelled from Galway. I knew the Senator while he was mayor of Galway when he was always courteous to everyone. He was an excellent mayor of that great city and I have no doubt he will make a major contribution to the House and public life, as he has done since the day he was elected to Galway County Council.

I am also pleased for Senator Healy Eames because she will have some support in the House. The free run she has enjoyed for the past two years is over.