Fuaireamar an droch-scéal eile ar maidin go raibh Diarmuid Ó Duibhir tar éis bháis. Bhí sé ar feadh níos mó ná 30 bliain ag obair don Oireachtas is ar feadh dhá bhlian bhí sé ina Chléireach sa tSeanad. Fear caoin séimh cúntach do b'ea é arbh' fhuirist caint a dhéanamh leis nó comhairle d'iarraidh air. Maidir le gnó na Dála nó gnó an tSeanaid, ní raibh aon duine ba mhó eolas ná ba ghéire tuiscint ná é. Bhí caidreamh dlúth agam féin leis nuair a bhíos im Cheann Comhairle is dá mhéid aithne chuireas air sin mar ba mhó mo mheas air agus sin mar do b'fhearr a thuigeas na deá thréithe a bhí ann. Tá a fhios agam gur mhaith le gach Seanadóir anseo comhbhrón ó chroí a dhéanamh lena mhnaoí is lena mhuintir uile.
Senators will have learned with regret the sad news of the death of Mr. Dermot O'Dwyer, Clerk of the Dáil and lately Clerk of this House, who passed away this morning. Go ndeana Dia trócaire ar a anam.
It is more than 30 years since Mr. O'Dwyer entered the service of the Oireachtas from a Christian Brothers' school by competitive examination. In recent months he had reached the highest post open to him—the Clerkship of Dáil Éireann.
As Ceann Comhairle I was, for many years, in intimate and daily contact with Mr. O'Dwyer and I learnt to admire the qualities of his mind, his judgment and his unfailing courtesy. He was deeply interested in parliamentary procedure. He read widely and he gave the fruits of his knowledge and his own independent advice to his superiors, whether to the Ceann Comhhairle of Dáil Éireann or to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
In 1954, he became Clerk of the Seanad and in that capacity many members here met him and learned to appreciate his easy manner and his helpfulness. On the death of the Clerk of the Dáil, Mort Ó Conaill, Mr. O'Dwyer's talents and record of service were such that he was recommended by the Ceann Comhairle and the Minister for Finance to the Taoiseach for appointment as Clerk of the Dáil.
Mr. O'Dwyer was an example of the good public servant, hardworking, alert, efficient and whole-heartedly devoted to the work of the Oireachtas.
I would ask you, Sir, to have an expression of our regret recorded in the Journal of the House and to convey to his widow and family the sympathy of the Seanad.
Senators rose in their places.