Many here will have learnt with some sadness of the death of the former Deputy, Senator and councillor, Bernard Markey. His passing during the summer was certainly felt by all in Fine Gael. He was born in 1935 and was a man deeply and passionately connected with his people and his constituency. He fought their case and represented their cause with determination and conviction. He served on a number of occasions for Monaghan constituency when it was joined with Louth. The people of Louth, Ardee in particular, knew that in Bernard Markey they had a real champion. One of the reasons he represented them so well was that he genuinely believed in the power of politics and its ability to effect real change for the better in the lives of ordinary people.
I had the pleasure of serving in the House with Bernard Markey as a member of the Fine Gael parliamentary party. I remember that his deep disappointment on narrowly losing his Dáil seat in 1982 was tempered by the knowledge that he would go on to serve his community at both Seanad and council level. He was a passionate follower of the Gaelic Athletic Association and was a player and member of St. Mary's GAA club in Ardee. For those Members who would not have known Bernard Markey, long before Deputy Gregory arrived here without his tie and at a time of sartorial conservatism, he epitomised what it was to be cool by having his own particular style of leather jacket and open-necked shirt at Fine Gael parliamentary party meetings, which were often far from cool in those days.
On behalf of the House and the Fine Gael party I express my deepest sympathy to his wife Anne, his daughter Tara and the members of his extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
