Members of the House will have learned, with deep regret, of the unexpected and untimely death on Saturday last of Deputy Jack Belton. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.
Only a few days previously, he had been in attendance here in his usual good spirits and—by all appearances —in normal health.
Kind and generous, genial and good humoured, the late Deputy was extremely popular on all sides of the House. His contributions to our deliberations were always helpful and constructive. His interests were many and varied, and housing and allied matters were of special concern to him. He will be sadly missed by his constituents, for whom he was an able advocate and in whose interests he was a tireless worker.
He became a member of this House in 1948 and was returned at each general election since then. He was a member of the Dublin Corporation for many years, and, while still a young man, was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin. It was a well-deserved honour.
Apart from his activity in public affairs, the late Deputy distinguished himself on the sportsfield, and he will be remembered as a good sportsman in the truest sense of the word.
I ask you, Sir, to convey to his widow and family the deepest sympathy of Dáil Éireann.
Members rose in their places.