Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also would like to be associated with the words of sympathy to the late Michael O'Regan's family and, indeed, to his colleagues in The Irish Times, his family in Radio Kerry and the constituency of Kerry.

Michael was much revered, much respected and, indeed, I would say, much loved, particularly in Kerry but, I would feel, far beyond. He was the consummate journalist. He was well researched, well informed and he was impartial. He was incredibly fair.

He was a man who was immensely and immeasurably proud of his Kerry credentials and he wore them very much on his sleeve. He certainly carried all things Kerry in his heart and, indeed, in his voice. He had a particularly strong beautiful Kerry accent and all of us who heard it, whether on national radio, national media or whatever, were elevated all the more to think that one of our own was doing so well and had such a distinguished career in the world of journalism.

We will miss him greatly in Kerry. He was a great professional in his chosen profession of journalism. More than that, however, he was an honourable and decent man. As already stated, he was very fair and impartial. He was also generous in his time for others and was considerate of others. There is an expression, "We will not see his like again", and I am very confident of that.

I extend my sympathy to all who knew him and all who loved him. He is gone too soon but his legacy is rich. It was a privilege for all of us who knew him and who spent time with him to be afforded that opportunity. We are the lesser for his passing but greater for having had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace.

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