Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to get the opportunity to say a few words about Bobby. I welcome his wife here and his children and brothers;all his family. Bobby was a wonderful man. We became very close friends during the few years we were together in Dáil Éireann. Indeed, I have to say that Bobby was everyone's friend. He loved his family, politics, farming and hurling - all the things country people tend to live for. He served his people with distinction and was a proud Member of the Dáil. He told me how elated he was when he won back his seat in 2015. I was devastated when I heard that he lost it in 2020, because it was not because he was not working but there are winners and losers in every election. Bobby was a great man and I am glad to get the opportunity to wish his family well. I know they are broken-hearted, as we all are, on his passing. He suffered a tough couple of years and at least we know he is in a better place now. Coming into Christmas, all I can say is God is with you because Bobby was that kind of person and he lived for his family and the people he represented here; a wonderful and powerful man. I will never forget him. Things are not the same this term as they were the first term. We became very close friends on a daily basis while we were up here and I thank him for that. I will never forget him.

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