Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the order of the Dáil yesterday, we will now hear expressions of sympathy on the deaths of former Fianna Fáil Members, Seán Ardagh, former Deputy for Dublin South-Central, and Seán Calleary, former Deputy for Mayo East. We are joined for this commemoration by Mrs. Doris Calleary and Mrs. Máire Ardagh and their families: John, Conall, Dara and Síofra Calleary, daughters-in-law Trish and Siobhan, son-in-law John, grandchildren Laura, David and Anna, and family friends; and the Ardagh family are represented by Charlie and Rory Ardagh, Seán's sons, and their wives Catherine and Deirdre, and by Darragh McShea, Senator Catherine Ardagh's husband, and four grandchildren, Charlotte, Jane, Jamie and Arabella.

The two Seáns were people it was an absolute privilege to have known. They were honourable men, with very different personalities, but they served their people here with dignity and integrity. Neither of them undervalued the honour bestowed on them by their constituents. Seán Calleary did his utmost for the people of his beloved Mayo and the country, and Seán Ardagh did his utmost for the people of Dublin South-Central and Ireland. Knowing both Seáns as well as I did, I know how thrilled they would be that the next Calleary and Ardagh generation have taken the political baton and continue to work for the people they represent. To our colleagues, Catherine and Dara, and the wider Ardagh and Calleary families, I renew my condolences to them on their sad loss. Their fathers served their party, their Parliament and their country with absolute distinction and their families should be very proud of that work. We, their Oireachtas colleagues, salute it here in this Chamber today.

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