Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

As many of us who knew him were aware, Gene Fitzgerald was not a quiet, retiring man. He had forceful views and was not afraid to express them. At the same time, he was respected and liked by everybody with whom he dealt. He attained high office, both here and in Europe. One of the reasons he obtained such great election results was that he always remained a man of the people and never lost the run of himself. He always had the common touch and was able to deal equally with kings and beggars. He was a great Fianna Fáil man and kept the party as a central part of his life up to the day he died. He was also a great GAA man. Over the years, I attended many matches with him and things could get exciting, especially if we were not supporting the same team.

He always gave credit where credit was due. From the time I was first elected to this House in 1982, I found Gene Fitzgerald to be a great mentor for young politicians. He kept advising us up to the very last. He will be missed by the Fianna Fáil Party and everybody who was in touch with him through his work. Most of all he will be missed by Noreen, his daughters and his son. I will miss him personally as a friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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