Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I am doing so. Mr. Downes was excellent. It was unfortunate that, because he was on contract and of employment law, we were not able to retain him. He has a major role to play in the arts and I hope he will continue to play it. Obviously, it would have been advantageous to have him in the position for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, especially because of his vast number of contacts all over the world, including in New York, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. He is a major asset to the country. It is unfortunate, as I said, because of his contractual arrangements and employment law, we were not able to keep him on.