Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I join the Leader of Fine Gael, the Taoiseach and Deputy Rabbitte in paying my tribute to Larry McMahon. I knew him very well. Although he was a Member of the Dáil in 1977 when I became a Member of the Seanad, it was through his involvement with Dublin County Council that I got to know him best. In Dublin County Council he had a strong passion, as I had, during those years for ensuring people from small villages such as Bohernabreena, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle, as they were then, could live in their own area. He had a great phrase which he regularly used when addressing the manager: "Manager, the villages are not just for the birds." He said it with such vigour that it impressed.

He came to see me on one occasion in the 1980s and he was very sad, which was unusual for Larry. One of his children was seriously ill and he said to me that it would take a miracle for her to recover. However, she did recover and he was very proud of that. The last encounter I had with him was around this time last year at the annual mass for the sick in Whitehall. I met Larry and Ursula there. I had not been aware of it but he told me that Ursula was unwell. She was with him and seemed strong and determined but they told me the illness was terminal. He was devastated and was crying. She died shortly afterwards and when I attended her funeral I saw a broken and devastated man. They were very much a team who lived for their children.

Larry McMahon was extremely popular in Bohernabreena. At one level he was an old style politician. He was deeply conservative and did not share many of my perspectives on some issues. He used to caution me about some of the positions I took. I know the priest to whom Deputy Rabbitte referred. I doubt that he voted for the Labour Party and he certainly did not vote for the Progressive Democrats. I believe he would have been close to the Taoiseach's persuasion. However, in Bohernabreena people of every persuasion respected and loved Larry McMahon. He was a great neighbour and a great man for the community.

He leaves a wonderful family of four sons and two daughters. For any child to lose a parent is always difficult but to lose both parents at such a young age and in such a short timeframe is a devastating blow for them. As I was away, I was sorry to be unable to attend his funeral. I would have loved to have been there because I had a very good friendship with Larry McMahon over many years.

On my behalf and on behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I extend my sympathy to Claire, Niamh, Lorcan, Ronan, Ciarán and Conor, to his sister and his wider family and to the Fine Gael Party, which has lost a committed party supporter and member.

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