Before I move the suspension of Standing Orders I take this opportunity on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and the Government to welcome and extend a fíor fáilte to Deputy Coveney on his return to the Dáil after a lapse of some years. I have known Hugh Coveney for a long time and he has always been a very positive thinker who takes a practical approach to problems.

Kathleen Lynch has been elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time. She has worked long and hard over many years to earn her place in this House. This woman, very conscientiously, applied herself to the tasks on the ground. She has taken up specific issues during the years and followed them through relentlessly. She has gained her reward for her dedication to politics and to serving the interests of the people in Cork South Central — whom she serves at local level — and Cork North Central whom she now represents in this House.

The record of both these Deputies shows all the hard work, which is not always recognised, that goes into politics. For those committed to public service, it is an ever demanding life which demands more and more from us on behalf of constituents. We recognise that the electorate is becoming more volatile, nevertheless that is the challenge for all of us in politics. It is our duty to do what these two new TDs have done and take up that challenge. It will be a poor day for this country if we do not get fine candidates, such as the newly elected Members, to put their names forward and take up the challenge of working for people at local and national level.

I wish Hugh Coveney success on his return to the Dáil and Kathleen Lynch on her election for the first time, I hope they have a long stay.

I am delighted that Deputy Coveney is back in the Dáil and I congratulate Deputy Kathleen Lynch on her election.

I welcome Deputies Coveney and Lynch to this House after their successful results in the very gentle by-elections in Cork. I was extremely impressed by Deputy Coveney's curriculum vitae— not by his business or political achievements but the fact that he played golf off two.

I too congratulate Deputies Lynch and Coveney on their election last week. I join the Taoiseach in hoping they get a chance to get accustomed to Leinster House before they have to face the voters again.

Obviously it is a very proud day for me as Leader of Democratic Left to have another new Deputy, having won the by-elections in Dublin South Central and Cork North Central. It is important for politics generally that we have the opportunity to elect people to our democratic assembly. Deputy Hugh Coveney has previous experience in the Dáil and Deputy Kathleen Lynch is a very able newcomer.

Ba mhaith liom, thar cheann an Chomhaontais Ghlais, fáilte a chur roimh an Teachta Coveney agus an Teachta Lynch go Dáil Éireann.

I enjoyed the campaigning, even in bad weather. The new Members bring back warm memories of my election and I wish them a long and happy career in Dáil Éireann.

I concur with previous speakers and extend a very warm welcome to Deputies Lynch and Coveney. Deputy Coveney is no stranger to the House but this is the first occasion for Deputy Lynch. I also look forward to working constructively with her on behalf of the people of Cork. She has served on Cork Corporation and there is a very important job to be done on behalf of the people of Cork. I hope we can all work together and that both Deputies have a long stay in this House.

I welcome Deputies Coveney and Lynch to this House. I have the unique distinction of having contested elections against both Deputies in the constituencies of Cork North Central and South Central. I hope their contribution to Dáil Éireann will equal what we have seen of them in Cork Corporation and — in the case of Deputy Coveney — in Leinster House.

And the Deputy looks forward to taking up that challenge again soon.

I never shirked it yet — the sooner the better.

I wish to be associated with the vote of congratulations and the welcome extended to the two fine Deputies who have joined us today from Cork North Central and South Central. It has to be said that the voters of Cork have chosen very well indeed because they have elected two TDs of the highest calibre. It is a matter of particular pride that in my constituency of Cork North Central we now have a second woman Deputy which must mark Cork North Central as one of the most progressive constituencies in Cork city and county.

I hope that both Deputies will have a long and happy career in Leinster House——

Don't we all.

——and I wish them every success.

As the Deputy for Cork South Central I too congratulate and welcome both Deputies to the House, in particular Deputy Coveney who is a pragmatic and decent public representative. He will make a fine contribution to this House.

The election of Deputy Lynch in Cork North Central is a mixed blessing because I was not unhappy that she moved from Cork South Central to contest the by-election in Cork North Central. In the context of the difficult roads and streets we had to travel and the doors we had to knock on during the by-election campaign, I can only echo the sentiments expressed earlier that their stay in Leinster House will indeed be a long one.

I join other Members in welcoming the return of Deputy Coveney and the election of Deputy Lynch to this House. Deputy Lynch misquoted me on a number of occasions during her European Elections campaign, but I am delighted to see her in Dáil Éireann and she will certainly be an addition to her party ranks and to Parliament.

Those who came into contact with Deputy Coveney on subcommittees of the House and in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party when he previously served in this House will agree when I say that he is one of the most constructive and positive people who has ever been elected and the contribution he makes can only be for the good of the country and Parliament. He is an excellent representative and I am delighted to have him as a colleague in the party, in the constituency representing Cork city.

On behalf of my constituency colleague Deputy Liam Burke, I too wish Deputies Coveney and Lynch every happiness in their political career in this House.

I am delighted to see my good friend and colleague Deputy Coveney with us this evening. I am also glad to see Deputy Lynch who served with me on Cork Corporation. I hope she will have a long, fruitful stay in this House but it does not look like it.