Marie Moloney (Labour)

I, too, would like to be associated with the fitting tributes paid by leaders to Dr. Robinson and welcome her to the House. As a member of the Labour Party, I was very privileged and honoured to be part of her campaign team during the presidential election. What I most admired about her was the minute she took up the Office of the President, she no longer represented the people who campaigned for her but every citizen in the country.

She is the most successful woman to have ever sat in Seanad Éireann. She has gone onto become renowned worldwide. She is an iconic figure and a very well respected opinion shaper. It is a great boost to all of us here to note that she started her political career in this House. My question is similar to Senator Mooney's. I would be interested to know her opinion on the proposal to abolish the Seanad. Is she in favour of reform and retention, as she reformed the Office of the President?

I wish her well and continued good work. I hope, like her daffodils, she will continue blooming.