Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Shinn Féin ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann agus cáirde an iar-Theachta Donal Creed a fuair bás i Mí na Samhna 2017. On my behalf and on behalf of Sinn Féin, I would like to extend sincere sympathies to the family and friends of former Teachta Donal Creed, who passed away in November 2017. I believe Deputy Micheál Martin made reference to 2,000 grandchildren, which caused a bit of alarm of these benches. Perhaps he meant two dozen. I salute not only Donal's political prowess but his wonderful tribe of a family from the rebel county.

Bhí gairm fada ag Donal in oifig phoiblí agus táim cinnte go bhfuil a muintir an-bhródúil as sin. Donal had a very distinguished career as a public representative, serving in this House from 1965 to 1989, representing the fine people of mid-Cork and Cork North-West. He was among the first Irish Members of the European Parliament, from 1973 to 1977, and served as a Minister of State in various Departments for a total of five years under the then Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald.

I did not know Donal and I never met him, but the mother of one of our members of staff did. He wished for me, on his behalf and on behalf of his mother and family, to let it be known that they will forever be indebted to Donal for assistance that was given to them more than 30 years ago. That, more than anything, is the mark of not just a great public representative but a great person. He was accessible and humble, and was a true servant of the people.

I join with everybody in extending our sympathy and condolences to Madeleine, her family and friends, and of course to our colleague, Michael. I am absolutely certain that his father is immensely proud of his service as a member of Cabinet. I also extend sympathies to all of Donal's colleagues in Fine Gael. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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