Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join others in paying tribute to the late Charlie Bird on behalf of the Labour Party. He was a journalist of immense tenacity, courage and conviction. We all recall his incredible work on the Stardust tragedy, his inspirational courage in facing down motor neuron disease and his activism. He was at one point a member of the Labour Party and we remember him fondly within the party. He was hugely active in the marriage equality campaign more recently and as an advocate working on motor neuron disease, teaching all of us so much more about that awful condition, through climbing Croagh Patrick and with his spirit even in his final years. We all recall that so fondly.

I send my deepest condolences to his partner, Claire, his daughters, Orla and Neasa, his family and of course, his dog, Tiger, who played a leading role in the memorial service that Deputy Ó Ríordáin and I were proud to attend last week in the Mansion House. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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