Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I echo all that has been said. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Dóchtúir Mhic Róibín. Like others I have reminiscences about her time in public life. I have had the honour on more than one occasion of visiting her office in Geneva as part of a parliamentary delegation when she was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. I will always remember the great honour we felt at having an Irish woman in such a key, important role at international level at a time when we remained somewhat under the colonial yoke and when we were still emerging as a nation. As Senator Healy Eames suggested, Dr. Robinson's period of office as President was a coming out. I remember especially the deep feeling of patriotic joy we experienced because she was in such a pivotal position.

I have another memory of one of our visits to Geneva. As Dr. Robinson was reflecting on some incidents in her life I recall the inevitable family photograph was to be taken in her office. The UN flag was placed behind Dr. Robinson's desk but it was destined to be not quite in the frame of the photograph. Me being me, I decided I would move it because no one else was going to move it. There was a spike on the top of the flag pole and, as I moved it, it shot straight up through the ceiling and created a large hole. I have often reflected on it since and whether it was fixed subsequently or whether Dr. Robinson got into trouble because some mad Irish people had come in and trashed her office.

On another occasion we were there when Dr. Robinson was in the process of leaving office and I believe she was subject to a considerable personal dilemma. If memory serves me correctly she had been offered a second term and she was anguishing over the option. I felt privileged, as did the group with us, that we were discussing these issues and the wider implications of the move she inevitably made. I believe that Dr. Robinson upon reflection has no doubt that she made the right decision because she has managed to stride the world stage in a continuing and important role. She brings great credit and pride to this country as a result of the activities in which she is involved.