Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that but I want to make a declaration of interest. I was partly nominated by RACO to contest the Seanad election. RACO is a body which represents many organisations, including PFORRA, the GRA and so on. It nominates seven people to contest the Seanad election. Three of those people were elected Members, including the Leader, Senator Ned O'Sullivan, who was also nominated to contest the election by ICTU, and myself.

I have been nominated by RACO for a number of years, so I took the initiative to contact it about this matter. It said it has no hand, act or part in this situation. It only became involved six months after the appointment was recommended, so it had no influence in regard to the appointment of the individual, although he is a member and is on the executive of RACO. As a member, he is entitled to seek support from the organisation. Some 99%-----