I welcome Craig Hogan from Edmund Rice College in Carrigaline. He was a transition year student last year and is now in fifth year. He has a keen interest in politics. He was here before with the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, Senator Currie, Deputy Higgins and former Minister, Deputy Bruton. Craig has a huge interest in politics and current affairs. He is welcome. Perhaps one day he will be a Member of the House.
I also welcome the father of the House. It is good to see Senator Norris. I thank him for being here.
It is my sad duty as Cathaoirleach to inform Members that the death has occurred of our former colleague and friend, former Senator and Deputy Brendan Daly. As Senators will be aware, he served as a Member of this House, a Deputy and a Minister. He was born in Cooraclare in west Clare in 1940 and worked as a clerk in Clare County Council before being elected to the 20th Dáil in 1973. He was a proud Clareman who never shied away from his roots. He was a gentleman and was courteous any time I met him.
Former Deputy Daly had a long and distinguished career in politics. He served in Cabinet as Minister for Defence, Minister for Social Welfare, Minister for the Marine and Minister for Fisheries and Forestry. He also held positions as Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach, Labour, Finance, and Foreign Affairs. He was a Member of Seanad Éireann on three occasions, first in 1992 and, subsequently, when he was elected to the agricultural panel in 1993 and the labour panel in 2002. In 2007, he retired from politics but continued to serve the people of County Clare long after he left these Houses. He was a champion of many local issues in County Clare. Throughout his political career and in his personal life, Brendan Daly was a strong advocate of community, county and Ireland. From his days in Clare County Council and in his political life, he was a strong supporter and long-time member of the trade union movement. As Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, on behalf of all Members, I extend sincere sympathies to his children, Niamh, Iomhar and Ronan, his sisters, Mary and Evelyn, and brother, John, his grandchildren and other relatives, and his large circle of friends in the Fianna Fáil Party and beyond. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.