Deputies will have learned with profound regret of the death of Tom Foxe, a former Member of this House. May he rest in peace.
Tom was born in Roscommon in June 1937. He was educated at the Christian Brothers' school, Roscommon, University College Galway and University College Dublin. He was a publican and an agricultural adviser. He was first elected to the Dáil in the general election of the summer of 1989 as an independent hospital candidate in the old three seat constituency of Roscommon, which comprised the geographical county of Roscommon with the exception of an area in the west around Williamstown and that part of Athlone west of the Shannon. He lost his seat in the 1997 general election. However, in the local elections last June, Tom repeated his poll topping performance of 1991 with nearly 300 votes to spare over the quota.
The people of County Roscommon will be particularly saddened in view of the tremendous service he gave to that county down the years. Tom was active in many organisations at many levels for many decades in his native county. He was treasurer of the Roscommon Community Council from 1973 to 1977, a member of the Roscommon Hospital Action Committee from 1976 to 1989 and its honorary secretary from 1987 to 1989. He was a loyal servant to Roscommon and his role in the Roscommon hospital campaign brought him to national prominence. He will be long remembered by the people of Roscommon for the strong position he took on that issue.
Tom had a keen interest in sport, particularly boxing, and he was a member of the Connacht branch of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association from 1974. He was an international boxing judge, a manager of international boxing teams and a great expert on the sport.
On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be sadly missed by all Members as it is only a few years since he left the House. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.