There was considerable jollity in the Seanad on Wednesday when Mary Hanafin steered the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill through the house. Leader of the Seanad, Donie Cassidy, remarked that the father of the house was the father of the minister. As the longest-serving member Des Hanafin carries the honour "father".
Wrapping up, Minister Hanafin said Senator Hanafin had defined the concept of nationality better than she had. In response to Senator Madeleine Taylor Quinn who was wondering how you could swear fidelity to a nation, Senator Hanafin said since Taylor Quinn came from a constituency that had elected an Indian to the Dail, she should understand that people could indeed do so.