Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. On this historic occasion, I want to pay tribute to the late, great Liam Cosgrave and sympathise with his family, Liam, Mary and Ciarán.

I am the only Member of the Seanad who served in the Dáil with him, from 1977 to 1981, and I was present in the Dáil Chamber on 5 July 1977. That day, I voted for Jack Lynch and Liam was there. He stood aside as Taoiseach. That was the last time he was Taoiseach. I served with him in the Dáil until 1981. He was an absolute gentleman.

I was in the Percy French Hotel in May 1977 when there was the famous Ard-Fheis speech about the "blow-ins" who could "blow out or blow up". He was referring to Bruce Arnold. Let Bruce now respond to that, if he wishes. Just to say, it was an amazing speech. Jack Lynch was present watching. The pipe nearly fell out of his mouth when he heard the speech.

I extend my deepest sympathy to the Cosgrave family. I met him regularly. He was an absolute gentleman. He was a statesman. He was a national hero. He was a patriot. I pay tribute to him for such a wonderful life, and making such a great contribution.