I call Senator Terry Leyden.

He will give us a papal blessing now.

Bless you all.

I compliment Ms Nóirín O’Sullivan on her appointment as Garda Commissioner. It is a wonderful appointment and I commend the Government in agreeing with the independent assessment of her. There were 40 applicants and she came to the top. She is an extremely good officer who took on the drug barons in her time and was head of the training college in Templemore. It is a great day for women. It is 92 years since the force was formed and she is the first woman to become Garda Commissioner. This House should send its best wishes to her on her appointment and her achievement. It is a great day for An Garda Síochána. I find it extraordinary, however, that Deputy Clare Daly said that this appointment shows the old boys’ club is alive and well and that we can look forward to the continuation of the blue wall of silence. Ms O’Sullivan is a woman, not a member of the old boys’ club. Women tend not to become members of the club. Deputy Clare Daly can keep her opinions to herself. Ms O’Sullivan is a role model for women, particularly for young women in the force and others who wish to join it. It shows a woman can come to the top in any position in this country, be it in the role of President, as in the past, or Taoiseach, in the future. We want more women in politics, in the Dáil and the Seanad.

As long as they do not take the Senator's seat.

I would like to send our best wishes to the outgoing Garda Commissioner, Mr. Martin Callinan, who was treated shabbily by the Government. He was an extraordinarily good officer who carried out tremendous work on behalf of the State. I also send our best wishes to all gardaí for their commitment to the State. The Garda Inspectorate carried out an unfair report on Garda operations. I can tell the House that the Garda Commissioner, Ms O’Sullivan, is a new brush who will carry out her responsibilities with great commitment. She has already said criticism levelled against the force during the recent unprecedented time would act as a roadmap for reform under her stewardship. That is a good starting point. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will join in sending best wishes to the new Commissioner, as they are now both members of the State carrying out very responsible jobs.