Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Like other speakers, I pay tribute on behalf of the Green Party to Mr. Des Edwards for the many years of service he has given and wish him, his wife and family well into the future. As we were paying tribute to Mr. Frank Lane and Mr. Paddy Behan, some of us could not help but also pay tribute to Des even though he was not retiring at that time. This was not surprising as the three men were associated.

Des should also be remembered, as the Minister for Finance mentioned, as a dedicated regular cyclist. Medically, his fitness must be attributed in no small extent to his lifestyle. It is a recommendation to which the Ceann Comhairle as a GP can relate that, upon reaching middle-age, those who cycle are generally approximately ten years younger medically than non-cyclists. I hope this does not mean that cyclists must work longer in the future and put off retirement simply because they are more youthful. Des is getting his reward, however, and is retiring in a youthful and fit fashion.

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