Before bringing in members of the delegation appearing before the committee today, it is appropriate to propose a vote of sympathy be extended to the family of one of our former members. Is é sin, an Seanadóir Tony Kett, comhalta den chomhchoiste seo ar feadh tamaill. Ar ndóigh, ní raibh sé abalta a bheith anseo go rialta ós rud é go raibh sé tinn ach bhíodh sé thart fá na Tithe suas go dtí coicís sul a bhfuair sé bás. Chuir sé suas cath cróga agus throid sé in aghaidh a thinnis, cé go raibh a fhios aige go raibh tinneas marfa aige. Is dona liom agus linne go léir a bhás agus is cúis bhróin é dá bhean, dá theaghlach, dá chomhrádaí go léir agus dúinne, a chomhghleacaithe. Ba maith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh lena theaghlach. Guím go ndéana Dia trócaire air agus go dtuga Sé sólás dá bhean agus dá chlann san am fhíor-dheacair seo.
Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.
I offer my sympathy and that of Fine Gael members of the committee to the Kett family. The late Senator Kett was a member of this committee, to which he made a valuable contribution. I offer our deepest sympathy to his family. He will be a loss to Fianna Fáil and the committee.
I offer my deepest sympathy and that of the members of the Labour Party, particularly Deputy Upton, to the family of the late Senator Tony Kett. I always found him to be an honest, sincere man. He was reserved but friendly nonetheless. He will be a major loss to his family, Fianna Fáil in his constituency and the party in general. I offer our deepest sympathy to all concerned.
I, too, wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy on the death of Senator Tony Kett. As a constituency colleague, I am proud to say he was my friend. I knew him politically and personally. I also knew his family well. He was a great help to me when I started out in politics. He was experienced, even at that stage. He made a huge contribution to the constituency of Dublin Central. He was proud and honoured to become a Member of Seanad Éireann. In his areas of interest, particularly that of disability, he contributed greatly. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
While I did not know the late Senator Tony Kett very well, I met him on a couple of occasions and was struck by the warmth of his personality. From talking to my colleagues in the Green Party, he had a wonderful personality and took part fully in the business of the Houses. I extend our deepest sympathy on behalf of the Green Party — Comhaontas Glas to his family, friends and party colleagues in Fianna Fáil. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Is mian liom tréaslú leis an rún comhbhróin agus mo chomhbhrón phearsanta a chur in iúil do mhuintir Kett. Ba dhuine faoi leith é an Seanadóir Tony Kett agus tá a fhios againn go léir go raibh sé thar a bheith díograiseach agus dílis i ngach rud a dhein sé. Bhí sé an-mhór le daoine a raibh aon mhí-chumas orthu agus an-chabhrach dóibh. Tá a fhios agam freisin, fiú nuair a bhí se tinn, go dtagadh sé isteach ag cruinnithe an tSeanaid. Níl aon amhras ach gur cailliúint an-mhór go deo é a bhás dá chlann agus don saol phoiblí. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal dhílis. Tá súil againn go gcasfar ar a chéile arís muid i Ríocht na bhFlaitheas.
I suggest we stand for a minute's silence.
Members rose.