In this House in which he has served for so many years as Deputy, Minister, Taoiseach, and for a period Leader of the Opposition, I should like to express again formally what I was glad to have the chance to say last Wednesday through other channels, my sincere regret at the departure of the Taoiseach from his office and the respect which I and my party feel for his service to the State. My predecessor, Deputy Liam Cosgrave, has spoken of Deputy Lynch's unique popularity as a political leader. This is a reflection of qualities of warmth, spontaneity and sincerity which attract our people naturally. I have admired also his tenacity and political skill exercised frequently in the interests of leading his party along the path of moderation in relation to Northern Ireland and his almost unfailing courtesy even when his patience has been tested, by me amongst others. History will in time give an interim and later a more definitive verdict on his place in Irish politics. I can only record regret that at the end he was brought down before his time by smaller ambitious men who have little mercy for a man who has served them and his country well.