Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Roimh tús an ghnó seo, ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi Tom Burke. Is cinnte gur chuala formhór na dTeachtaí Dála gur chuaigh Tom Burke ar shlí na fírinne inné. Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón ó chroí a dhéanamh le Mel, bean chéile Tom, leis na gasúir, Paul, Aidan, Yvonne, Derek agus Elaine, agus leis an seisear garpháistí. I am sure all Members have heard that Mr. Tom Burke died yesterday. On behalf of the House, I extend our sympathies to his wife, Mel, his five children, Paul, Aidan, Yvonne, Derek and Elaine, and his six grandchildren.

Tom's career as a photographer spanned an incredible 50 years, during which time he covered both the daily national and international news for the Irish Independent. For many of us, however, he will always be associated with Leinster House. It was his beat and he was certainly a semi-permanent fixture outside Kildare Street for decades. He was the first friendly face I saw when I was elected in February 2016. He enjoyed a unique relationship with Deputies and Senators and had a great respect for elected representatives, and that respect was mutual. He also enjoyed a cordial relationship with all staff and was a welcoming presence for many workers and visitors. Tom was also a close friend of many members of the Oireachtas press gallery. The reaction to his passing is reflective of the standing and respect he had earned and deserved. It is also important to highlight the legacy Tom leaves behind in his record of parliamentary politics, an integral part of political journalism but one not often given the value it deserves. Ba mhaith liom a rá, ar ár son go léir, ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I will now take Leaders' Questions under Standing Order 36. I ask for co-operation on the time in order that all Members are treated with the respect they deserve.

See this speech in context