Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I would like on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and on my own behalf to extend my deepest sympathy to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the death of Liam Burke. Like Deputy Kenny, I am delighted members of his family, his wife, Noreen and his sisters, Mary and Kitty, are here and I also extend our sympathies to his daughters, Emma and Catherine.

I was lucky to know Liam very well and I shared many conversations with him. I found him an extremely likeable individual, always prepared to engage in the stories and banter of the House. He was a very kind man. Over the years when we were involved in various scrapes of one kind or another in politics, Liam was one of the people who would stop and talk to one about the issues in the corridor. As Deputy Kenny said, usually 20 seconds into the conversation the discussion focused on the Cork connection and viewpoint. He always seemed to me to be in good humour and good heart in this House. That attitude applies to some but not all people in this place, but Liam managed to always be that way.

From his days with the Christian Brothers and university college he then served on Cork City Council for a long period from 1967 and was subsequently elected Lord Mayor. He was a Member of his House from the end of the 1960s, into the 1970s, 1980s and up to the 1990s. That is an enormously long period of service.

The only thing that frightens me about what Deputy Kenny said about the 1979 by-election is that I remember it so well but it was 26 years ago. The story of it is for another day but that was a famous and important election and a great victory for Liam and a double victory for his party on that day. Liam also served in the Seanad and on behalf of Senators I wish to express that they also fondly remember him.

I agree with everything that has been said about his hard work in political life. Liam worked for his seat in an area where one had to work hard. He worked hard in a demanding constituency where the pressure of everyday issues was tough. There was no way to avoid putting in an enormous amount of effort at constituency level. His life was dedicated to his neighbours and community in Cork. He dearly loved everything to do with Cork and was so proud of it. He was very popular as Lord Mayor, an honour in recognition or a life of genuine public service. A party representative in this House can do no more than his or her best and I know that in his personal life Liam was a dedicated follower of sport all over Munster. He shared an interest in greyhounds with my late father and he was chairman of the Cork Dog Track. His great ambition, in which he was ultimately to succeed, was to win the Waterloo Cup. That is a remarkable feat for any Irish owner and I know he derived great satisfaction from it.

Liam was also a great family man. It is a tribute to his memory that so many people held him in so much affection. I can speak for my colleagues in Fianna Fáil in saying that his hard work was matched by the popularity he enjoyed among Members from every side in the House. He was a true gentleman and somebody whose company I enjoyed immensely. He is among the great figures who have graced this House over the years in terms of being a genuinely hard worker and a nice person. I join with Deputy Kenny and other Members of the House in extending our sympathies to Noreen. I am glad she is here, along with his daughters, Emma and Catherine. I extend the sympathies of the Fianna Fáil party to his entire family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílís.

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