Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too am glad to be able to say a couple of words, cúpla focal, ar son na Rural Independents. Jackie Healy-Rae, the late father of my colleagues, Deputies Danny and Michael Healy-Rae, was great friends with Séamus Pattison and regarded him as fair, honest and at all times a decent man. Séamus Pattison worked very hard for many decades and was returned 12 times to the Dáil, which is a remarkable achievement. He was a man of the people and very dedicated to his duty as a public representative.

This morning, I spoke to Mr. John O'Connor from Cahir, who was his driver for many years and in recent times. At Mr. Pattison's funeral, Mr. O'Connor told me that he was very dedicated to his constituents and his line of duty. I agree with all that was said about his time as Ceann Comhairle. I was not a Member of the Dáil at the time but he was fair and very equal. I wonder what he would think of the current system involving bingo cards but sin scéal eile.

He was very supportive of the Labour Party organisation and its rural members. He recently came to Ardfinnan, in my county, to launch a book written by Dr. Anthony O'Halloran and we had a great night. He was in ill health at the time but, despite that, he still attended. He saw it as his duty to support Labour Party members in the constituency. Coming from a family of four, his chosen career was public service and he did the State a great service. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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