Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I call the Leader, I also wish to congratulate all those who stood for election in recent days who were successful and I empathise and sympathise with those who did not make it. It is very painful when one stands for any election and falls short, as I well know. I wish those involved a speedy recovery. As an example of the essence of democracy, in my electoral area there is a man, Mr. Finbarr Harrington, who was announced to have won by one vote, and a recount was called by a lady from the Social Democrats. In the first recount the one vote was reversed and now there is a second recount under way. The stress and strain that must be on all those families and their supporters is probably immense. I wish whomever wins that battle in my area well. Whoever loses will need a couple of weeks' holidays in the sun to recover. With those few words, I ask the Leader to respond.