Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State whom I know well. He is a neighbour and a hard-working and diligent Minister. I have no doubt he will look at Seanad reform and all the nuts and bolts that go with it. I pay tribute to Senator Michael McDowell. The ferocious fight he put up for the retention of the Seanad has to be appreciated. Many political parties wanted to win a fight and thought it was a penalty kick. I congratulate him and say, "Well done." I recall meeting a former Deputy from Mullingar who was a bit smug and told me I should go out and campaign for its abolition, that it was the thing to do and that there would be a certain result. He will remain nameless.