Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a dhéanamh fosta le clann Lenihan. Bhí an-bhrón orm nuair a chuala mé go bhfuair Brian bás agus tá brón orm fós. I express my deepest condolences to Brian Lenihan's family, his wife Patricia, son Tom, daughter Clare, mother Ann, sister Anita and brothers Conor, Niall and Paul, and his aunt Mary O'Rourke. I extend my sympathy to the Fianna Fáil Party, which was so much a part of Brian's life and which was enriched by the contribution he and his family made over many years.

Mar a dúirt na cainteoirí eile, bhí Brian Lenihan an-láidir agus an-mhisniúil leis an tinneas a bhí air. Bhí meas agam ar an slí a rinne sé déileáil leis an chruachás a bhí air le déanaí. Ag an am seo, aithníonn cairde theaghlaigh Lenihan go bhfuil siad ag iarraidh am dóibh féin. Brian's courage and fortitude in the face of his illness were an inspiration. We all knew he was seriously ill but he never seemed to let it get him down. He set an example for all of us. In many ways, he was a role model for other citizens suffering from debilitating illness. In his work in this Chamber and public interviews and engagements, there was no sign of the obvious emotional impact his illness must have been having on him and his family. Bhí sé go han-chróga.

Throughout his ordeal, Brian was an articulate and able advocate for the Fianna Fáil Government and its policies. Brian was a talented and gifted politician who worked diligently on behalf of his constituents and party. At the funeral yesterday, four or five people approached me to pay testimony to him and the work he had done in this regard.

Brian was also a considerate person. On the first day of the new Dáil, he was very open. He stayed behind after business and sat here when most other Deputies had left to engage with some of the first-timers, and he did so in a very cordial and welcoming way. I remember meeting him during the recent election campaign. I was chiding him gently - we were talking one-to-one about what was going on - and he said with a smile, "You'll just have to do what you have to do, and good luck with that."

Above all, Brian Lenihan was a husband, father, brother and son. To Patricia, Tom and Clare in particular, I extend again, on behalf of Sinn Féin, my sympathy and solidarity. Brian's death will leave a huge gap in their lives. All his family, particularly Patricia and his children, can take comfort from knowing that, in his relatively short life, he helped many people and was genuinely liked. Sometimes people use a lot of plámás when speaking of others. Irrespective of political differences, Brian was genuinely liked by all sides, by friends and political opponents alike. Perhaps there is no greater legacy than that. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar an anam dílis.

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