Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. I welcome her team as well. She has an effective team Europe, so to speak.

We in Ireland are proud of the work Ms Geoghegan-Quinn is doing as Commissioner. She is extraordinarily well-equipped. In being appointed Commissioner from Ireland, she was the right person at the right time in the right era. Of course, she has a role for all 500 million citizens and she ably represents those as well, but she is home now and I welcome her home.

It is lovely to hear Ms Geoghegan-Quinn's beautiful blas. Irish has been so well spoken by her throughout her career and we are always proud to hear that beautiful Galway Irish. It is just lovely to hear it again today in this House.

As Minister of State, I worked with Ms Geoghegan-Quinn in the Dáil. One aspect of her Ministries was that she took complete control of them in the sense that she was innovative and decisive. I recall many instances when she, as a Minister, took decisions and could see exactly what was right to do in her portfolio. One could write extensively about her career.

For me, among the highlights was her period as Minister for Justice. It was most innovative, progressive and liberal and the courageous decisions she took at that time have had a major impact on this country. She did not delay or defer them. She stood up and took them. People realise the importance and significance of those decisions.

Ms Geoghegan-Quinn also was progressive when it came to the development of an institution in Castlerea in County Roscommon. While it may not always be appreciated, at that time, it was a major issue. It has a major effect on the economy of County Roscommon and surrounding areas and I am sure she does not mind me mentioning those events which had a relevance to myself and the late former Minister, Sean Doherty, in the constituency of Roscommon-East Galway.