Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and on my own behalf, I extend my sympathies to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party, to the members of the McMahon family with us today and to those who are not. I knew Larry McMahon well from his days in the House but I got to know him and his brother in the 1960s when my sister and brother-in-law were farming in Piperstown in Bohernabreena up in the famous country of St. Anne's. He and his brother had a butcher shop and my sister went there regularly. When I met Larry years later in the House, I always had a great friendship with him. We shared a love of the GAA. I am subject to correction, but Larry told me he was born in Kildare, but he was a great supporter and my last occasion to meet him was when we were both shouting for the Dubs against Tyrone last year to no great avail. He was always a lovely person to meet.

He made an extraordinary contribution to politics, having entered Dublin County Council in 1965 and remained there for 30 long years and through his great service to his community during his time in both Houses of the Oireachtas. As I knew him from way back, every time I met him in the Oireachtas I always spoke to him. He was very friendly and generous. I will always remember him as courteous and kind and someone who was committed to the rapidly developing community of Tallaght. My conversation with Larry tended to be about Tallaght and how it had changed from the early 1960s, when I would meet him on the big hill in Bohernabreena or near Saint Anne's Church, to what it has become over the past 20 years as a result of constant development. Larry was part of all of that.

He had a great interest in the community and the public good and put a huge effort into that as well as working for his community and party. His reputation in politics was always that of a true gentleman, combining great strategic capability and a friendly charm. He was a man of great religious faith and that was very important to him. He was respected right across the political board. He had many friends on this side of the House as well.

I join Deputy Kenny and Members of the House in extending our sympathies to his daughters, Claire and Niamh, as well as to Lorcan, Ronan, Ciarán and Conor. We also remember Ursula today. I hope it brings consolation to the children that their parents are now reunited and that the House pays tribute to a fine public representative and a very decent person.

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