Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to welcome the Carty family here today. I was a friend of John's and I knew him from working here, especially on the agriculture committee. As has been noted by many, he had a sharp wit, keen intellect and interest in and enthusiasm for agricultural matters and the committee. I could recount some very joyous occasions we had when we went to Agriculture House to meet the then Tánaiste and Minister responsible for agriculture, former Deputy Mary Coughlan, as well as a later Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith. When there were serious issues on the table, John always provided a sharp jibe and entertained us all, although the occasions might have been fraught because we were anxious about issues in our constituencies.

John was a true Irishman, dedicated to his family and his constituency. I took a further interest as both John's daughter, Ciara, and my own daughter met at a football game. John got a pairing arrangement so he could attend it in the midlands but I failed to do so. He came back the following day with a glint in his eye as his daughter's team also got the trophy. Well done to them. He was a family man with an interest in all his family members and how they progressed. He is a major loss to the family, in the first instance, and to his constituents. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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