John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Senator Mooney back to the House and congratulate him on his election. We have had the honour of representing County Leitrim for more than 20 years. While the region is not represented in the Dáil, it has two representatives in the Seanad to fight its cause. I also take the opportunity to congratulate Senator Mooney's family. They were involved in politics a long time before I became involved in County Leitrim. I have no doubt that it is heart warming for his wife and family to see him returned to the Seanad. When speaking to him yesterday, I mentioned that it must be a source of comfort to attend a count knowing what the result would be.