Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I wish to be associated with the tributes to former Deputy and former MEP Gene Fitzgerald, who was a great Cork man. It is lovely to see Noreen and the Fitzgerald family here today. Gene Fitzgerald had left politics before I entered it as a public representative, but I have long been aware of him in my home and in my political life. He made a wonderful contribution both here in the Chamber and in the European Parliament. He always represented Cork and had a great interest in it. Whenever I met him he was very positive and interested. As the Minister mentioned, he always had a word of encouragement and support for those on the other side of the Chamber. I have memories of my parents being involved with both Gene and Noreen Fitzgerald. First names were used in our house, rather than formal titles such as Gene Fitzgerald TD or MEP. They were involved socially and had a lot of contact on many political occasions also. Gene and Noreen were a wonderful team and a great partnership. They both made a great contribution to politics in Cork. He is sadly missed by his family and by the wider public. It was wonderful, at his removal and his funeral, to see such a huge crowd turning out to pay tribute. People came from far and wide across the country, including former public representatives and others who had come across Gene in political, sporting and social circles. That brought much comfort to his family. We remember him well and he will always be remembered by his family. As Deputy Coveney said, this is a sad day but also an important one when we mark his contribution to Irish public life.

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