We debated Second Stage of this Bill last Thursday week. The late Pat Upton was the Labour Party spokesman and the last words he spoke in the Dáil were directed at me. It was a good-humoured, positive debate with a note of joyousness which can be gleaned from the Official Report. I ask that we remember him today.
Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.
It was deeply poignant that Pat Upton had just succeeded Deputy Stagg as spokesman on communications. For him to die so unexpectedly was a shock to the body politic. He would have moved amendments today but for his untimely passing.
I wish to be associated with the remarks about Pat Upton. I shared an office with him and listened to the Dáil debate mentioned by the Minister, and he and I had a good laugh about it. It was a nice departure from Parliament.
As Chairman of the select committee I wish to be associated with those remarks. I was on a foreign trip with Pat Upton a few years ago and found in him a special and unique friend. He was a lovely man.