Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Cathaoirleach is reminding us now rather than when the speaker before last was contributing. It is fair to raise the matter in the day and week that is in it, particularly given that at least five Members of this House, as Senator O'Loughlin outlined, ran in the European elections. We wish Senator Chambers the very best. Well done to her on her performance. We may not see much of Senator Doherty based on the figures and, possibly, Senator Boylan. Senators Gavin and Pauline O'Reilly also ran.

I pay tribute to everybody who put their name on a ballot paper, not just for the European campaign, but all the local election candidates of all colours who tried so hard. The vast bulk of people who put their name on a ballot paper do so for the right reasons. Few do it for the wrong reasons. We will not agree with everything they believe in but fair play to them for putting their names on a ballot paper and putting themselves out there to be judged and selected or otherwise. I pay tribute to the 200 Fianna Fáil councillors who have been re-elected at this point and the 44 new ones who have been elected. I also acknowledge and express support for those who, unfortunately, have been defeated. I acknowledge those who chose on this occasion to retire or not to put their names on a ballot paper this time. I was a councillor for 12 years so I know that council work is hard. It is time consuming and involves a lot of effort but the work is very rewarding, exciting and interesting. It also involves a lot of sacrifice by people as they try to juggle family life and work. I acknowledge those who are still involved in the counts for 12 unoccupied seats in the local elections.I congratulate all those who made it. I particularly sympathise with those who lost their seats and those who did not make it on this occasion. Many of us have won elections, but equally many of us have had the occasional defeat and it is important that we acknowledge that too. I also acknowledge our Acting Leader today, Senator O'Loughlin, on the election of her brother as a councillor in Kildare over the weekend. Well done to Brian.