The Dáil will have learned with deep regret of the deaths during the Recess of the former President and Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera and of our colleague, the former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, Henry Kenny.
The untimely death of our colleague, Henry Kenny, has robbed this House of one of its most popular Members. He won the respect and the admiration of his constituents for the devoted manner in which he carried out his public duties both as a Dáil Deputy and as a member of local bodies in his native county of Mayo for more than 20 years. For the past two-and-a-half years he served with distinction as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. Henry Kenny's qualities of gentleness and humour endeared him to all in this House.
As Leader of the Opposition, as Minister for External Affairs, as President of Dáil Éireann, President of the Executive Council and as Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera was a Member of Dáil Éireann for more than 40 years including nearly 24 years as head of Government. For a further 14 years he served as President of Ireland. Mr. de Valera has been President of the Council and President of the Assembly of the League of Nations. He was the recipient of high honours from the Holy See and from heads of other States. During his period of office as President of Ireland he was host to heads of State and other distinguished visitors.
I would ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, to convey the very sincere sympathy of the Members of this House to Major Vivion de Valera and to the other members of the late Mr. de Valera's family and also to the widow and family of the late Henry Kenny.
I bhflaitheas Dé go raibh a n-anam.