Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

They are two fine candidates. Private life does matter because without our private lives, we would not have the principles, convictions and visions we have. Many of our personal lives, the lives we have lived, the people we have loved and the people we share a life with are what drive us forward in this House and help us be good legislators. Therefore, to congratulate somebody and their husband on this is okay. To talk about Senator Boyhan as a councillor 22 years ago and the life he experienced before he came in is okay too. If I did not get to speak about my private life in this Chamber, none of my policies would even exist because all I do is talk about drugs, prison and everything I have only ever experienced in my personal and private life. Our personal and private lives are so interlinked and it is okay for us to celebrate them today. I wish the two candidates the best of luck and wish everyone a happy Christmas.