Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I add my voice of welcome to the Ryan and Browne families. I offer sincere sympathy to both families on the deaths of loved ones. This is a sad day for them to be here, but they can take a lot of solace from it in that we are paying tribute to two men from Carlow-Kilkenny and Dublin who distinguished themselves for many years in this House.

I am from the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency of the late John Browne. I knew him for many years. I did not serve with him here; he left in 2002 and I came in in 2007. However, I knew him through Carlow County Council as I had been on Kilkenny County Council for many years. His son, Fergal, is continuing that tradition in carrying the baton for the people of Carlow-Kilkenny and I welcome him here today. I offer my sincere sympathy to his wife, Nancy, and their four children.

He was a very likeable man and well loved by the people of Kilkenny and Carlow - in particular Carlow. He served his constituency with pride for many years. May both of them rest in peace.

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