Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming our former colleague.

With regard to Senator Mac Conghail's comments, as someone who attended "Translations" last night, we may be confident following the reception the play received that he will have a full run to the beginning of August. I wish him well.

I ask the Leader to convey the congratulations of the House to RTE for its sweep of radio awards at the prestigious international radio awards ceremony in New York. Not only did those involved win the title of best overall radio programme in the world or best overall radio station in the world, but several individual programmes were successful also. Sadly, none of mine was involved; it was thought they were not good enough to be submitted. I suggest the Leader convey the congratulations of the House to the RTE head of radio, Clare Duignan, because this is more good news. RTE is the State broadcaster and public service broadcasting is under threat internationally. This is a perfect example of the reasons it should be retained, no more than in the case of the Seanad.

I share Senator Mark Daly's enthusiasm for the appointment of a Senator to represent the Diaspora and I have no difficulty with his suggestion. As a former emigrant, since coming to the House I have made it a point of principle to raise on each and every occasion matters relating to the diaspora. Wearing my other hat as a broadcaster, I have continued to broadcast programmes for and about the diaspora with which I maintain strong links, especially in Britain.

I was struck, as I am sure were other Members, by the reaction in certain quarters to the announcement made by Niall O'Dowd, that fine Irish patriot who has done so much to further the cause of Ireland in America, not least in respect of the peace process. There has been admittedly a somewhat muted negative reaction to the fact that he has been out of the country for 30 years. I found this not only astonishing but also offensive because we owe our emigrants so much. They have done so much for the country. We are delighted to welcome President Obama and go to extraordinary lengths to establish his genealogy in Ireland. I am no apologist for Mr. O'Dowd in what he is attempting to do, as that is his own affair; I simply emphasise the point that we should embrace the success stories of the Diaspora.