Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 1987

Vol. 117 No. 16

Death of Press Gallery Member. - Expression of Sympathy.

Mr. Lanigan

Ba mhaith liom go gcuirfí rún comhbhróin chuig clann Ned Murphy as ucht a bháis. Bhí sé san Teach seo agus san Teach eile den Oireachtas as son a pháipéir ó 1931.

He was a man who did justice to this House and to the Dáil. He was a fellow Kilkenny man. He saw the formation of this State and he treated the Houses of the Oireachtas at all times with respect. He gave them the status that they deserved and it is my privilege to ask that we remember him in a special way. We send our deepest sympathy to his family and we hope those who follow him will deal with the business they have to report just as Ned did in his lifetime.

Mrs. Bulbulia

I wish, on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, to voice my sadness on learning of the sudden death of Ned Murphy who was known to all of us. It is hard to conceive that his quizzical eye is no longer focused on the debate in this House from the press benches. He was very much part and parcel of this House and, indeed, of the whole of Leinster House. A very important element is now missing from all of our lives. It will be very strange, indeed, to think that we will not meet him again in the Chamber or its environs. I would like to express the sympathy of the Fine Gael group to his family and to say that he was a gentleman, a wise man and a first class reporter. May he rest in peace.

Mr. J. O'Toole

Ba mhaith liom cur leis an rún comhbhróin do chlann Ned Murphy. Ní raibh aithne agam féin air ach gur bhuail mé leis cúpla uair, ach sa taobh seo cuirimid leis an rún seo.

Mr. O'Shea

Ar son Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an rún comhbhróin seo a mhol Senator Lanigan. Cosúil le Senator O'Toole, ní raibh aithne agam féin ar Ned Murphy ach tá a fhios agam go raibh árd-mheas ag Senators Ferris agus Harte air. Ba mhaith linn comhbhrón a dhéanamh len a chlann. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Hogan

Ba mhaith liom, freisin, mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl do chlann Ned Murphy de bhárr a bháis. Fear anchroíúl a bhí ann. Tá mise ró-nua sa Teach chun aithne mhaith a bheith agam air ach tá a fhios agam go raibh sé ina thuairisceoir sár-mhaith ar son an Irish Independent ó 1931.

Mr. McDonald

I should like to be associated with the expression of sympathy on the death of E. B. Murphy. Last week he attended here at the House. He was a friend to Senators from all sides of the House for many years. He carried out his official duties in an exemplary way and over the years we have grown to look upon him as a friend and a colleague and we will miss his genial presence. I should like to be associated with the expression of sympathy to his family and also to his colleagues on the press gallery.

Mr. B. Ryan

Bhí cuid mhaith aithne agam ar Ned Murphy, agus an rud ba mhó a chuaigh i bhfeidm orm ná go raibh an sprid beo i gcónaí ann. Is beag duine a bhí i gcomh-aois le Ned Murphy go raibh an oiread sin den sprid argóinte agus sprid cainte ann, an sprid ceisteanna a phlé leat agus a bhí ag Ned Murphy. Baineadh an-geit asam ar maidin nuair a léigh mé go raibh sé caillte. Ní fhéadfá a chreidiúint gur tharla a leithéid, bhí sé chomh beo, bríomhar agus chomh gníomh ach sin go dí go bhfuair sé bás. Mar gach éinne sa Teach, déanaim comhbhrón lena chlann agus ba mhaith liom a rá leo go raibh saol iontach, fiúntach aige. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Mr. McMahon

I would like to be associated with the tributes being paid to the late Ned Murphy who was taken very suddenly from us yesterday. As some Senators have already said, he attended at the last sitting of this Seanad which was only last week. He was a character well known to all Members of the Oireachtas for many years. He was one with whom one was always anxious to discuss the political happenings he had seen, and many of us who are older Members of the House have seen, down the years. It was a great pleasure to discuss these happenings with Ned. Very often we sought his opinion and likewise he sought our opinions. He operated as a political correspondent since 1931. I venture to say that he was probably the longest serving political correspondent in Europe. He will certainly be missed around the corridors and in many areas of this House. May he rest in peace. I am glad the Seanad are sending a message of sympathy to his relatives today.

An Cathaoirleach

As Cathaoirleach I would like to be associated with all the very kind remarks. May he rest in peace. I will always remember him as a good friend and a very fair reporter and a supporter of this senior House.

Sheas na Comhaltaí.