Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join the Taoiseach in expressing our sadness at the death of our colleague, Nicky McFadden, and our deepest sympathy to her daughter, Caren, and her son, Eoin. We were all shocked when we heard some time ago of her illness and with a great deal of sadness saw her condition progress. We all understood where it would eventually lead, but, notwithstanding this, we are all struck with a great sense of sadness and loss at her passing. She was a great colleague and brought a sense of joy to the House. She was someone in whose company it was always a pleasure to be. She always had a positive outlook on life and politics. The work she did for her constituents, particularly in Athlone but more broadly in the constituency of Longford-Westmeath, in the Dáil, during her time in the Seanad and while serving on various local authorities will be remembered by all who worked with her. On my own behalf and that of the Labour Party, I express my sympathy, particularly to her son and daughter, her family, friends, the Taoiseach and her colleagues in Fine Gael. It is a sad day for all of us.

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