Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I extend my sympathy and that of my family to Noreen, Mary and Kitty and to Liam's brothers and two daughters. Listening to the eloquent contributions about Liam does not give a full picture. Those of us who had to jump into the political arena with him know he was a tough politician, which was the reason he won nine elections. Those of us who participate in the political game must appreciate and admire his record. I hope, like Deputy Kelleher, that all of us learn something from Liam that could allow us to achieve something close to his great record.

As soon as an election was over, Liam would tell other candidates the battle was over and it was time to work together because the crowd in Dublin would not know where Cork was if we did not tell them often enough. From then until the following election, he would give advice and make us laugh from time to time. He was a good politician but he was not all sweetness and light. He was also tough because those who wish to get involved in politics must have a tough edge. Liam had a multifaceted personality which made him well liked and respected.

My family had a major difficulty because, as Liam's family will be aware, my brother-in-law is heavily involved in the greyhound industry and he and Liam were very close. As we all lived in Cork North-Central, we came to a pact under which half the family would vote for Liam and half for me. That is the way we split up the votes because knowing how close members of my extended family were to Liam, I could not possibly ask all of them to switch their votes to me.

Liam in many ways epitomised what was good about Cork. I constantly hear people say he was always in good humour. Being from Cork, one cannot help but be in good humour. We have a saying in the city which stands to Liam better than most, namely, that there is a major difference between being well known and well liked. Liam Burke was both of these and his funeral, more than anything, taught us that. May he rest in peace.

See this speech in context