I associate myself with the comments regarding Senator Flynn, my colleague. I know what it is like to receive bullying online and it should not be tolerated. I want to support her in that.

About 30 years ago I volunteered in the Salvation Army. Its homeless hostel just off O'Connell Street is called Cedar House. At that time I did not know it but it would change my outlook and how I viewed people going forward. I met a young guy there who was homeless. His name was Mick Finnegan. He has often been mentioned in this House by various people. He has red hair, sharp wit and is a pure Dublin guy. He was homeless but you would not know it. He used to always slag me about my clothing, the way I spoke and the trousers I wore. He would always give you a hard time. We stayed in touch and yesterday I met him again. I was down at Killashee Hotel where there was a social care conference, supported by In Sync, and Mick was the keynote speaker.

He was talking about his life. He is after getting married, is expecting his first child and is studying social care in the Netherlands. He is now back working with the Salvation Army in the Netherlands, the very organisation that helped him to get off the streets many years ago. Mick's story was not an easy one. He had terrible trauma in his life and that has been discussed in this House at length. All he was looking for was for somebody to believe in him. As he said to me yesterday, sometimes all it takes to change a life is for somebody to take an interest and sit down and have a chat.

It is a powerful reminder to all of us today that behind every label, whether that is homelessness or addiction trauma, there is a person, and a person with huge potential. Today I acknowledge all the people who work in Focus Ireland, Simon, Tiglin, Merchants Quay Ireland, etc. There are heroes in the community who actually help the likes of Mick Finnegan to turn their lives around. One thing I noticed about him is that childhood trauma may have shaped the story, but it does not define the ending. I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Acting Leader.