Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the army of followers of Michael O'Regan's morning slot on a Friday, we express our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. His voice on Radio Kerry on a Friday morning along with Jerry O'Sullivan was one of the most sought-after political events in Kerry.

I want to remind people in this House that Michael O'Regan, Brian Cowen, the late Brian Lenihan, the late Jackie Healy-Rae, my sister Rosemary and a number of other people used to discuss the politics of Kerry, Ireland and indeed the world, on a Wednesday night.

His voice will be remembered forever. He was an authoritative figure. When Michael O'Regan spoke, people listened to what he had to say. So many people have told me over the past number of days that they are devastated that they will not hear his beautiful voice on Radio Kerry anymore.

When my late father died, he came to Kerry for three days and three nights and in his own words to me at the time, he said, "Do you know, Michael, I wouldn't want anybody else to be reporting on it?". He said that because he knew my father better than anybody else. He was the authoritative man to report on his funeral, and he did so in a very respectful way that we all appreciated.

He will be remembered forever. He was a tower of strength, a fine cut of a man. He was taken from us too soon. He and Jerry O'Sullivan, his close friend on Radio Kerry, were two intertwined people. Many was the good debate they had on Radio Kerry. I really mean it when I say he will be missed forever by an awful lot of people. May he rest in peace.

I know that he is above in heaven and he is reporting on what is happening above in heaven and maybe in other quarters below. He will be giving reports above as well. He will keep them all going anyway in the future. God bless him and God be good to him.

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