Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

As Leader of the House and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I welcome and congratulate Senator Paschal Mooney who, as we all know, was born, bred and reared in his native Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. This is a proud and memorable day for him, his wife, Sheila, and their children as he takes his seat in Seanad Éireann having been elected once more on the Agricultural Panel. As we all know, he was first elected to the Seanad in 1987 on the Cultural and Educational Panel and went on to contest successfully five elections. During that time he was Fianna Fáil's spokesman in the Seanad on foreign affairs and a member of many joint and House committees which he represented ably and well. He is also a past member and chairman of Leitrim County Council and County Leitrim VEC. Most recently he served as chairman of Fáilte Ireland North West.

Drawing on his vast wealth of knowledge and experience gained over many years in public life, Senator Mooney made a major contribution in respect of a wide range of topics discussed in this House. I have no doubt he will be equally vocal in his contributions to the 23rd Seanad. On behalf of everyone present and all those who have known Senator Mooney through the years, I warmly congratulate him. I look forward to working with him in the remaining two and a half years of this Seanad.