Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of Independents4Change, I extend our sympathy to the families of Paddy Harte and Monica Barnes. As a Donegal man it is an honour for me to talk about Paddy Harte. I met Paddy only once or twice, very briefly, over the years but I served on Donegal County Council with Paddy's son, Jimmy, and we had a good collegial relationship at council level. While they may not have known him personally everybody who grew up in Donegal knew who Paddy Harte was, and the Harte family name is, synonymous with Fine Gael and with peace building right across the county. It is a great honour for me to pay tribute, to pass on my condolences to Rosaleen and the family and to have said these few words.

On behalf of Independents4Change, I would also like to express sympathy to Bob Barnes and his family on the passing of Monica. I did not know Monica but I have heard of her honourable and very distinguished record through tributes paid in the media and in this House.

This year's repeal of the eighth amendment is a great tribute to her work and her foresight in opposing the amendment when it came in first. That has to be noted. On behalf of our group, I wish to express our condolences to her family.

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