The Members of the House will have learned with profound sadness and deepest regret of the unexpected death of Deputy P. J. Lenihan—ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
Although a Member of Dáil Éireann for only five years the late Paddy Lenihan was actively involved in the public and commercial life of the country since his early years and was prominently identified with Irish industrial development for over thirty years. He was widely recognised in this sphere as a man of outstanding talent and ability.
His contributions to our debates here were always concise and wellinformed. Whatever the subject under discussion Paddy Lenihan brought to bear on it a wide knowledge, an extensive experience and a depth of sincerity which always commanded respect and attention.
The loss of Paddy Lenihan to Dáil Éireann and to his constituents of Longford-Westmeath will be gravely felt. There was no more conscientious Member of the House in his attendance here in the Chamber and in his attention to his duties as a Deputy. A gay and colourful personality, nobody could wish for a more enjoyable companion or for a more loyal comrade.
I ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, to convey to Mrs. Lenihan, to our colleague the Minister for Transport and Power, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and to the other members of the family so sadly bereaved the deepest sympathy of every Member of the House. Solas na bhFlathas d'anam dílis an té atá imithe uainn.
Members rose in their places.