Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le chlann Ted Nealon, lena bhean Jo, a mhac, Fergal, agus a iníon, Louise, as ucht a bháis. Níl aon amhras ann ach gurb iriseoir agus polaiteoir den scoth ab ea é. Chuir sé seirbhís poiblí chun tosaigh i rith a shaol. Mar Theachta Dála agus mar Aire Stáit, d'oibrigh sé go dian agus go dícheallach ar son muintir na tíre. Táimid go léir buíoch de agus dá chlann dá bharr.

I add my voice to those of the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Howlin, in expressing on behalf of my party and on my own behalf our deepest sympathies to the Nealon family - to Ted's wife, Jo; son, Fergal and daughter Louise on the death of their beloved father.

He was a ground-breaking person in terms of media and politics. In many ways I always had a strong affinity and affection for him. I can trace my real engagement with politics to the "7 Days" programme that has been mentioned. When I was a young second-level student in Coláiste Chríost Rí, we had a teacher whose instruction was, "Boys, will you go home tonight and watch "7 Days"? I'll ask ye questions about it tomorrow morning". Invariably about three or four of us would watch "7 Days". When the rest of the class saw the pattern developing they would say to a couple of us, "Would you get him talking about "7 Days" again because we've no homework done". Ever since, "7 Days", Ted Nealon and the late, great Brian Farrell were synonymous with that bit of mischief going on in a classroom in a second level school.

I trace my own motivation to become engaged with and involved in politics to the captivating broadcasting skill that Ted Nealon, Brian Farrell and others had. We can talk about all the junior certificate CSPE programmes we like, but that raw talent and ability to capture young people's imagination, to be engaged in a subject matter like politics, was a rare gift that we remember today when paying tribute to a person of the calibre of Ted Nealon.

He was highly capable and very intelligent, and was eloquent in his speeches and contributions to public life. As has been said, he moved from the media world where he had a key role in politics to politics, itself. Fundamentally what we acknowledge and remember today is the raison d'êtreof political life - giving of oneself to the public and being of service to the public, and he did that in an exceptional manner.

He was elected to represent Sligo-Leitrim in 1981 and served his constituents exceptionally well until 1997.

Most Members of the House and those who knew him will remember him with fondness because he was a genuinely pleasant, friendly individual and people will always have fond recollections of that humanity and engagement. He excelled in everything to which he turned his hand, whether that was on the football field playing for Sligo, being a national newspaper editor or a television presenter. The people had trust and confidence in him and he was easy with people, which is an important trait in any public representative.

Reflecting on his life, it was a varied one. For people contemplating politics, such a varied life and the different experiences one has in life can contribute to a more effective political life. There are lessons to be drawn from that. He had a fantastic and varied career. He started his days with TheIrish Press, not a newspaper overly associated with the Fine Gael Party, soon after he became editor of the Sunday Reviewand he wrote a column which everybody read because of the behind-the-scene information, gossip, leaks in the days when, allegedly, there were no leaks. He had a great dry wit as well. Long before Twitter and Facebook, people relied on people like Ted Nealon for the real news. He played an enormous role in Irish broadcasting, both in terms of "Seven Days" and in terms of farming and rural life in the "On the Land" programme, which was a significant one in its own right.

There was an election in 1973. As a 13 year old, and being the emerging nerd that I was, Ted Nealon's uncanny predictions of that election and the exact results that materialised outdid the computer, rudimentary as it was at that time. We did not particularly like the predictions but they came through in any event. His capacity to analyse constituencies, voters, geography, transfers and so forth was incredible. Basil Chubb, one of our original pioneering political scientist, described Ted Nealon as having an "encyclopaedic and detailed knowledge of people, places, local events and opinions". He was the founder and editor of Nealon's Guide,which has become the bible in terms of research, quickly wanting to reference various elections, Deputies, Senators and so forth. That is one of his lasting legacies that has informed the work of many people who cover and analyse politics to the present day.

He was, in many respects, ideal for politics, public life and membership of Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach referenced his role as a press officer or Jack of all trades for the Fine Gael Party in earlier times when he was Government press secretary in 1976. He knew politics from every side of the coin, every angle and every perspective. As a Minister for State, he was particularly effective, particularly in the arts and culture portfolio which I would single out. He had a particular grá for that and that was in the days before we have a full ministry for the arts and culture. He also served as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture and Minister of State in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

He did great work in Sligo, particularly in working for the establishment of the North West Hospice, which owes a great deal to his work and contribution. He will be remembered for his integrity as a public servant and politician, as a legendary raconteur and for his story telling capacity and as a very well liked and very able politician across this House and across politics in general. His family can be very proud of his contribution to Irish life in its many and varied forms. We extend our sincere sympathies to his family and to the Fine Gael Party who have lost one of their true friends and great contributors. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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