Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Before commencing with this meeting, I would like to acknowledge the sad news of the loss of our friend and colleague, Deputy Nicky McFadden. We just received the news in the last hour. Members of the committee will all recall that not long ago she was diagnosed as suffering from motor neuron disease. She battled valiantly against that awful illness. She lent her support to many fund-raising events that were organised in the last couple of years to help fund research into motor neuron disease.

I will ask members of the committee to observe a moment's silence in fond remembrance, love and compassion for her and her family. Subsequent to that we will commence the meeting.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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As her constituency colleague, I also wish to sympathise with her family. I knew Nicky all my life and we contested many elections together in the same party. I always found her to be a true lady who was very committed to her constituents. Not alone has her family suffered a major loss, but so too have the people of the entire midlands. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.