Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

As someone who comes from Galway, I would like to say that Galway is wild with excitement following the great election victory of Michael D. Higgins, who is about to become the next President of Ireland.

I, too, want to congratulate him. I also congratulate Sabina and his family and wish them well. As he said, he will be a President for all the people and I know that will be the case. It is interesting that he is the second President who has emerged from this House, although there may have been more, in that he is following in the footsteps of President Mary Robinson. While this House may be under threat it has been a very good preparation for Áras an Uachtaráin.