Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Arising from the election of Senator Grace O'Sullivan to the European Parliament and the taking up by her of her seat yesterday, a casual vacancy has occurred in the membership of the Seanad.

I give a warm welcome to Senator Lawless's family who are home from Chicago. If my vision is right, I can see his wife Anne; daughters, Clodagh and Amy; sons, John and Paul; their partners, Colm, Cynthia and Julie; and his grandchildren. I recently met the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. We spoke about the diaspora and the appointment of Senator Lawless. I said it was not before time that that was done. There is talk about restructuring the Seanad. As somebody who emigrated and at one stage had seven members of my family abroad, I believe that one Member for the entire diaspora in America and Great Britain is insufficient. I suggest it should be at least three whenever the Seanad is reformed down the line. We reach out to them and they reach out to us.

The appointment of Senator Lawless was significant. He has been an extremely important Senator-----