I know that it would be the wish of the House that I should express our deep sorrow on the death of Mr. Donogh O'Malley, Minister for Education, which occurred since our last meeting.
Donogh O'Malley was a young man of boundless energy and superb administrative capacity. In his relatively short period in public life, he made legions of friends and no enemies. His sincerity about any cause he expoused was unquestioned. He detested sham in any shape or form and had no time for an apartheid attitude in either sport or education. He liked people, was a gracious host and a staunch friend. He was an unqualified success as Mayor of his native city, as Deputy for East Limerick, as Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of Public Works, as Minister for Health and later as Minister for Education.
His memory will be specially cherished however because of his trailblazing work for education first in the Office of Public Works where his drive more than doubled the schools building output and subsequently as the Minister for Education who did so much to ensure that lack of means would no longer deprive any child of the fullest educational opportunities. He was affectionately known to the children as "The School Man" and this will be a more endurable monument than any other to the memory of a man the country could ill afford to lose.
I would ask you therefore, a Cathaoirleach, to convey to his widow and family the deepest sympathy of the Members of Seanad Éireann in their great loss, a loss which is Ireland's loss too.
Síochán Dé dá anam uasal.