A Chinn Comhairle, since the Dáil last met we have lost Mr. T.P. Dowdall, the senior representative from Cork City. During the decade of his membership of this House he endeared himself to all of us. With his buoyant, generous personality, it was indeed impossible that it should be otherwise. He spoke rarely, and intervened in debate only when he was moved to do so by the desire to urge policies which he was convinced were for the general well-being, but which seemed to him to be neglected or not to have their importance fully appreciated.
He was, as members know, an enthusiast on afforestation and on monetary reform. In the Central Bank Bill he was particularly interested and, despite his doctor's orders, he came here to speak on the Second Reading. It was only with the greatest difficulty that I dissuaded him from doing so, urging him to wait for the Committee Stage, when by way of amendment he could deal with more specifically, and argue more concretely, the points with which he was concerned. I had hoped that when that stage was reached his health would have improved and that he would be better fitted for the effort involved.
By the death of Deputy Dowdall we have lost a great-hearted and noble Irishman who loved his fellowman with true Christian charity and, in the spirit of that charity, was unfailing in his assistance to every needy one who sought his aid. His death is felt as a personal loss by each one of us, as it is by the thousands of the citizens of his native city of Cork with whom he was brought into contact by his manifold good works. Impidhimíd ar Dhia na n-uile-chomhacht sonas síorruí do thabhairt dá anam agus na deagh— chúiseanna a dtug sé dúthracht dóibh do thabhairt chun cinn annso abhfus.
I ask you, a Chinn Comhairle, to convey to the relatives of the late Deputy an expression of Dáil Eireann's deep regret at his loss and our sincere sympathy with them in their sorrow.
Deputies rose in their places.