Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It cuts down on the effort of canvassing. I had just contested my first election of any description in Wexford - I stood for the Dáil - when I was appointed to that Seanad. I got to know John Browne in that context. I did not realise until his passing that he was a Clare man. I always assumed he was a native son of Carlow. He never gave me any indication that he was not. He was not only a fluent Irish speaker but extraordinarily proud of an teanga Ghaelach. He used the Irish language to great effect and with great fluency whenever he could. He was also the health spokesman for Fine Gael in the difficult period of the 1990s. When we went into government, I became Minister for Health. I remember his views on matters at that time. I know of his involvement in the GAA. He brought a sense of calm and determination to, and adjudicated honourably on, most of the issues with which he dealt. To his wife, Nancy, his son, Fergal, who continues the tradition in politics, and his daughters, Carmel, Deirdre, and Geraldine, I send my deepest condolences and those of my party. All friends of both of the individuals we honour today can reflect with great honour and pride on their service to our country and to our parliamentary traditions.

See this speech in context