Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I add my thanks to the Minister of State and his officials. In particular, I did not get the opportunity to place on record my appreciation for all the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has done in service to the State. On a personal basis, I am sorry, as we are of about the same vintage, that he is no longer going forward for election. As Minister for Justice and Law Reform, he has been a tremendous and very fair Minister, which was indicated today by his very open acceptance of two Labour Party amendments, for which Senator Bacik praised him. He is one of the Ministers I am sorry to see going. He will be a huge loss not alone to his party but to public life.