I join in the sentiments expressed about Deputy Fitzgerald. At the time of her resignation, Deputy Micheál Martin dismissed her acquiescence and incuriosity on the matter, while Deputy McDonald called it a conspiracy. Mr. Justice Charleton quite rightly confirmed that her evidence was an honest appraisal of the situation and a reflection of a busy life, to which I am sure many of us can relate. Throughout her career, Deputy Fitzgerald has been a woman of the highest integrity and responsibility. The report found that she was selfless in resigning. It is clear that due process was not afforded to her in this case. She has had an exemplary record when it comes to whistleblowers, which is the irony.

It would be more appropriate for those who hounded her from office, whether with spurious claims in the Dáil or in public, to acknowledge the fact that she has been fully exonerated by the tribunal. Genuine and sincere apologies are needed and awaited.

I join Senator Gavan in calling for the Tánaiste and Minister Foreign Affairs and Trade to update the House on Brexit. I know that it is difficult because the situation is changing on a day to day and hour by hour basis, but it would be helpful if he would come in next week and update us on the current position. This is a very grave matter for the entire island.

I join Senator Leyden in paying tribute to the former Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten. I have always found the Deputy to be very helpful when I have approached him. Whenever he was asked to come to his House, even at short notice, he did so. I pay tribute to him and his family and welcome the appointment of a former colleague of ours, Deputy McHugh, as Minister for Education and Skills.

I welcome the publication of the Charleton report and I welcome the fact that the former Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, was vindicated by it. We should not lose sight of the fact that the real victims of this situation were Sergeant Maurice McCabe, his wife and family.

I join others in welcoming the Charleton report. I remember the night of the debate in this House when Deputy Fitzgerald sat in the Minister's seat. I described the way she was being treated as "scurrilous," but I was booed by certain elements. I could see it for what it was. It became a political melee in which the deputy Prime Minister of the country was hounded out of office. If we believe that was right and appropriate, politics is not being served. The political establishment and other individuals involved in politics need to have a good look at themselves and at what happened in order to ensure that it does not happen to anybody else, either here or in the Lower House. People have to be afforded due process and all that was asked for by people on the Government side at the time was to allow the Charleton tribunal to do its work, with the then Tánaiste to be judged on the basis of its findings. The latter was not allowed and that was not good enough for me. What happened was, and continues to be, a blight on our political landscape. In order to restore some element of fairness and proportionality, apologies should be made. Nobody can force anybody to apologise but when a person gets something wrong, the decent thing to do is to say "Sorry". We expect children to do that and I expect it will happen in this case when the people concerned reflect on their positions.

I sympathise with Deputy Denis Naughten. I met him in my first week in UCD 25 years ago and from that day to this I have found him to be a decent person. Notwithstanding all of that, new Ministers have been promoted and I wish them well. It is an important day for them and their families. Perhaps we might invite the new Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, to the House for a debate on education and the new Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Deputy Canney, for a debate on rural regeneration in due course. I would say that both would like to facilitate us.

We will now move on. I hope calm will be restored and that the Government will get on with the job of running the country.

I am absolutely delighted for Sergeant Maurice McCabe. I always believed, from the first day I heard his story recounted, he was totally innocent. I am delighted he can now move on with his life.

I also welcome the Charleton report. It is excellent. I agree with Senator Diarmuid Wilson on the victims left behind at times like this, including Sergeant Maurice McCabe. The former Minister was also in the victim category, although not at the same level. It was very interesting for me to note how women are capable of rounding on other women and bringing them down. I found that fascinating, bearing in mind the great feminist tradition we are always shouting about around these Houses. I refer to what women are capable of doing to other women. Apologies are needed in that regard.

I would like to find out whether Deputy Richard Bruton, who was Minister for Education and Skills and who is now Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, will come to the House to give us his opinion on the post offices. Just because there is a new Minister does not mean the issues go away. I would like to know what the Minister feels about the post offices and how he intends to pursue the matter. How many more post offices are to close? Does the Minister agree those that have closed should have closed? Does he agree with how they were closed? What were the reasons for closure? The issue has not gone away.

I suggest to the Leas-Chathaoirleach that Senators who call Deputies criminals are out of order, especially when they are not criminals. I was in my room listening to proceedings when I heard Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin call Deputy Michael Lowry a criminal three or four times. We all know Deputy Lowry's position on tax and business. It has been well documented in the press and courts. The Senator is completely wide of the mark to call the Deputy a criminal. That is a very loaded word. Deputy Lowry deserves an apology. The Senator's statement was appalling. It is the weakest of arguments to call other people names. Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin stood up here and called the President of the United States of America a fascist. From my knowledge and reading of history, that term was confined to people who had done worldwide murderous damage. It is appalling that Senators would come in here and call Deputies, of whatever party, names that are outside the language we should be using. It weakens a Senator's argument. If he or she wants to argue about something, he or she should argue the issue and not call a Deputy names. I am appalled that Senator Ó Ríordáin was not put out of the House for doing what he did. I am not an apologist for the behaviour of anybody, but I do not want to be part of a Seanad in which people are being called criminals and fascists.

That is the best statement Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell has ever made in the House.

Order, please. I asked Senator Ó Ríordáin to tone down his language. I did not-----

It is not a case of toning down.

Hold on, I am not calling Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell back. I am going to give an explanation and ask the Senator to obey the Chair. I asked Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin to tone down his language. I did not like it. Deputy Lowry was convicted of an offence in the criminal court. I am not going to say he is a criminal. I did not like the language and asked Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin to tone it down. I am not getting into tax offences. That is the situation.

I call on the Leader to respond.