Before the Order of Business, I should like to express sympathy to the families of Dónall Ó Conalláin and Seán Brosnahan, two former Members of this House who served both this House and the nation extremely well for quite a number of years.
Death of Former Members. - Expressions of Sympathy.
I would like to be formally associated, on behalf of my own group, with that vote of sympathy.
I too would like to be associated on behalf of the Labour Party with the vote of sympathy.
I would also like to be associated with the vote of sympathy. I worked closely with the late Seán Brosnahan. He will be sadly missed. He made a great impact on Irish education and the development of education at primary level over the past 40 years.
I would like to be associated with the tributes that have been paid to the late Seán Brosnahan and the late Dónall Ó Conalláin. I join in the sympathy that has been extended to their families.
I would like to be associated with the expression of sympathy to both families. Seán Brosnahan was elected in 1961 on the same day as I was elected.
I, too, would like to be associated with the expression of sympathy to the families of both former Members. Like my colleague, Senator Willie Ryan, I had the pleasure of working and serving with both former Senators for many years here. One can say without any doubt that the tributes paid to them are well deserved.
I would like to join with the expressions of sympathy to the families of the two former Senators. I knew Seán Brosnahan as general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation of which I was then a member and during the time when the general secretaries of that type of organisation were held in high esteem. I would like to remember——
I would like to welcome the Senator back from his summer holidays and explain to him that he missed much progress and development in the field of primary education.
I do not think this is the time for frivolous remarks.
I would like to be associated with the two votes of sympathy. I, too, knew Senator Seán Brosnahan through his activities in the Irish National Teachers Organisation. I would like to endorse what my colleague, Senator O'Toole, said. His contribution to Irish education was immense. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis. Go raibh maith agat.
I would like to be associated with the other speakers on the vote of sympathy to both families. Jackie Brosnahan, as we knew him affectionately down in Tralee, came from my town and it is very sad to see him pass away from us.
I would like, as Cathaoirleach, to be associated with all the remarks and with the votes of sympathy. I knew the two men. I did not have the honour to serve with either but I knew Jackie Brosnahan more closely as an executive member of NAMHI. He and I served for many years and we were good friends. May God rest both their souls.
Senators rose in their places.