Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Níor chuala mé ach uair a chloig ó shin go bhfuair Nicky McFadden bás agus bhí an-bhrón orm nuair a chuala mé an scéal uaigneach sin. Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Shinn Féin, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh lena teaghlach, lena mac agus lena hiníon, leis an Taoiseach agus le Páirtí Fhine Gael. I did not know Nicky McFadden as well as other Members, but when I heard she was ill, on a number of occasions I went to where she sat to ask her how she was. Even when she was not able to articulate as well as she used to, she struck me as being very positive and cheerful. I did not think she was as ill as she was because of her demeanour. I extend my sympathy to the Taoiseach, Fine Gael, her family, her daughter, Caren, her son, Eoin and, her wider family.

As Teachta Micheál Martin said, motor neuron disease is a dreadful ailment. A young guy who is a gael and a friend of mine, Antrim footballer Anto Finnegan, suffers from the disease and is heading a campaign to research its causes. It might be a fitting tribute to Nicky if we resolve to do something to try to get to the causes of the disease and research how it happens and can be dealt with. For now, it is a day to celebrate a feisty, brave, cheerful and positive woman. Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh leis an Taoiseach agus le clann McFadden.

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