Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I wish to be associated with the comments made by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the leader of Fine Gael and my own party spokesperson. I have an image in my head of the first election I recall in Ireland, which was the 1977 general election. At that time, election posters did not show photographs of politicians. The Fianna Fáil poster at that time had a series of names. It is a mark of the significance and stature of Gene Fitzgerald in Cork that he did not need a photograph on a poster. Everybody in Cork knew who he was. He was the type of character who overcame political differences. People in my own party, including the former Labour Party TD for Cork South-Central, Toddy O'Sullivan, would speak very fondly of their times in this House with him.

He leaves a legacy that, as a new TD, I can only admire, and his successes fill one with humility. As the Minister, Deputy Martin, mentioned, his successes in elections were immense and would be envied by anybody no matter what his or her party. As a personality, he straddled the broad expanse of politics. Like the Taoiseach, his personality was greater than his political leaning, and his popularity was similar to that of the Taoiseach. On behalf of the Labour Party, I offer condolences to the Fitzgerald family. I acknowledge the contribution of Gene Fitzgerald to the House and to the European Parliament, and acknowledge the loss to both his family and to the people of Cork South-Central caused by his departure.

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