Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Technical Group sends its condolences and sympathy to Nicky McFadden's loved ones, family, friends and colleagues in Fine Gael and those with whom she worked as a Senator. I came into the House following a by-election in June 2009 after the death of Tony Gregory. I inherited his office on the sixth floor in LH2000. The corridor is a mixed bag, with representatives of Sinn Féin, the Green Party, Fine Gael and Independents. Nicky McFadden's office was alongside mine and I appreciated the advice and assistance she and others on the floor gave me when I came first. I was delighted when she was elected and that she had had the opportunity to develop her talents and skills. When she contracted motor neuron disease, I had some conversations with her. At that stage, one of my closest friends had been battling the disease for a number of years. I shared my friend's story with Nicky and the two had much in common, mainly their positive attitude towards this most cruel illness. I know what my friend and Nicky went through. I knew what lay ahead for Nicky because of the progress of this horrible illness, but she was very positive and determined and took some solace and consolation from the way my friend was battling it.

It is an amazing illness in terms of how it affected my friend and the late Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick. It develops in different ways. With my friend it began from the waist down and for Michael it was from his neck. For Nicky it started with her speech, which was so cruel for somebody who was active in political life and in her own social life. I acknowledge what the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, did. I took part in the fashion show on behalf of my own friend who had motor neurone disease and of course for Brother Kevin also. My memory of that event is when Nicky walked down the catwalk with the Minister at the end of the fashion show. I acknowledge her work and determination in battling the illness. Tá brón orainn toisc go bhfuair sí bás ach ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

See this speech in context