Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I was very sorry to learn of the untimely death of Seán Doherty. On my behalf and on behalf of the Labour Party, I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Kenny in extending our condolences, in particular to his wife, Maura and to his four daughters.

It could be said that Seán Doherty's political life was a game of two halves. I only played the second half with him and am bound to say that I enjoyed every minute of it. He was a controversial Minister and, as Deputy Kenny said, this is not the occasion to trace the history of that time from which the smoke has not yet entirely cleared and will not for some time. During my experience with him as a colleague in this House and as somebody who served on both inquiries to which the Taoiseach referred, the DIRT and the mini-CTC inquiries, he was a most enjoyable colleague, a most informed and able parliamentarian, immensely quick-witted and humorous and made the long hours tolerable for the rest of us. He was also a very hard working and diligent local Deputy and the affection with which he was held by his local constituents was remarkable.

I remember occasions such as those to which Deputy Kenny referred. I remember being in Hyde Park at the time Roscommon Hospital first came under pressure. Seán Doherty was able to tell the people that since he had access to the Minister of State at the then Department of Health, unlike them he would be glad to use it and he would use it in advocating the case of the hospital. Whatever other implications that might have had, I am sure he did both of these things. On behalf of the Labour Party and myself I again offer our most sincere sympathy to Seán's wife, Maura, and her family.

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