Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Ar son an Comhaontas Glas, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a ghuí ar mhuintir Eileen Desmond. I was saddened to hear of the death of Eileen Desmond. Our sympathies go to her daughters, Honor and Paula, and the rest of her family. I sympathise with Deputy Rabbitte and the Labour Party for having lost such an excellent colleague.

I do not doubt that Eileen Desmond's reputation preceded her. While I did not know her personally, her name was legendary. Her achievements as a proud representative of Cork and the Labour Party will live on long after her. Her unique role in Irish life as Minister for Health and Minister for Social Welfare at the same time has been mentioned. I hope she will be a role model for many other women who would like to enter the political domain.

That Eileen Desmond was formidable and had no problem taking on people whom I knew very well, such as John Boland and Charles Haughey, both residents of Dublin North, speaks volumes about her stature as a politician. She was able to stride proudly and achieve much in a male-dominated arena. I extend our deepest sympathy to her family on their sad loss, in the knowledge that her reputation and record will live on. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.

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