Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I add my voice to the welcome for the new Members, Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin and also Senator James Carroll as I was not here to welcome him at the time. We can hear from him that he has hit the ground running. While it is a difficult and new situation for him to be in the House he is very right when he advises Senator Ó Brolcháin to enjoy the day when everyone tells him he is wonderful. I was elected to the other House as a result of a by-election a long time ago and I was warned it would be the one day when everybody says nice things about you and after that it is a case of game on. I advise Senator Ó Brolcháin to enjoy the day with his family, friends and supporters. It is a great honour and this is a great House. We may get slated a lot outside the House but we do very valuable work in here.

I extend my sympathies and those of the entire Inishowen community to Garda Gary McLoughlin's family, his friends and his girlfriend and all those who served with him. It was a very difficult day for us yesterday in Buncrana. It was nice of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to take time out of their busy schedules to sign the book of condolence. There is a very genuine sense of grief there. I travelled a lot of the country yesterday and the thoughts and prayers of everybody throughout the country are with that family. It has reawakened the memories for the family of Garda Robbie McCallion. We often criticise the Garda for inaction but these boys were on duty and were killed. I am glad to say that Garda Bernard McLoughlin is out of hospital and is doing well. I extend my sympathies to all concerned.