Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was truly shocked to hear of Monica's passing. We often give people titles, but "champion of women's rights" is one she earned absolutely by her deeds and actions. I worked with Monica on many campaigns and had the pleasure on one occasion to travel abroad with her and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, a formidable pair of women. It was an enlightening experience for me. Monica was, of course, on the social democratic wing of Fine Gael and there was a time when that was an important force behind Fine Gael policy. It was shaping and forming Ireland at the time. I remember the period of the debate on the eighth amendment and how strong Monica was on that. I remember holding a joint meeting with Monica on another social issue in Dublin on a Saturday. I was very concerned about leaving Wexford on a Saturday and missing my clinics. I noted how terrible it was that we were missing out on our clinics. She said "Clinics on a Saturday? I meet my constituents for coffee on a Tuesday". I told her it was a very civilised way of doing politics. Everything about Monica was civilised. She had deep compassion and when she dealt with social injustices she felt them in her heart and one knew that. She made that crystal clear to all. She will be deeply missed, most of all by her family, friends and colleagues in Fine Gael, but also by all of us who were blessed to know her.

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