Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I second the proposal by Senator Denis O'Donovan for an amendment to the Order of Business concerning the Minister, Deputy Shatter. I share with other Senators our best wishes to the seven nominated candidates. Though I could not assist our colleague, Senator Norris, I wish him well, as I wish Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon well. I am reminded very much of the Seanad campaign, given all the moving from council to council. It gave councillors a great sense of purpose, although they never expected when they were elected to the councils that they would have a say in the nomination of candidates.

I make the point that we will not now have the question for the next ten years of "what if" or "if only" which we would have had if they had not got on the panel. They are now candidates; let them go out there and let the people decide. That is the great thing. They would be cribbing for years and we would never hear the end of it. The talk of "what", "only" and "if" is now over.