Members of the House will have learned with deep regret of the death last week of Deputy William F. O'Donnell.
The late Deputy O'Donnell was an extensive farmer, who took an interest in public affairs throughout his life. He was a consistent advocate of the rights of the rural community, whose traditions, life and needs he understood so well.
Apart from his participation in national and local affairs, Deputy O'Donnell was also interested in athletics and in Irish culture generally.
He entered the Dáil son three and a half years ago and we learned to know him as a man of generous and endearing disposition which won for him the high esteem of all members of the House. The sincerity of his interest in questions affecting the welfare of the rural community and of his constituents generally, the kindly humour which characterised his contributions to our debates, and his consistently unprejudiced approach to all problems will make his presence deeply missed by all of us.
I ask you, a Chinn Chomhairle, to convey to his family the sympathy of Dáil Éireann.
Deputies rose in their places.