Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I would also like to join in the words of sympathy to the family of Charlie Bird, to his wife, Claire, to his daughters. He was an enormous presence in all of our lives, particularly growing up, as he was a permanent figure on RTÉ. He was a journalist who could turn up anywhere around the world, both domestically and internationally. He was a man we associated with the pursuit of justice and integrity. He had a long and distinguished career in journalism but, more than that, we remember him for, as others have referenced, his association with the Stardust tragedy. So many other causes could be identified with him. They were the issues that mattered to real people on the ground in the sense of the need for justice. Reference has been made to his final years, his illness, motor neurone disease, and his choice to go public with that, to be a voice for those who did not have a voice and to explain it more clearly to the public, to raise funds for it, to make it an accessible and understandable challenge that he was facing. The work he did there was quite incredible in that he allowed the humanity of his experience to be shared with the world. He often spoke of being a man who was very quick to tears. He made it acceptable in our world and showed there is an honour and integrity in showing your humanity and showing your heart and indeed, in showing your tears. There is a place for that in the world too. He was generous with his time, particularly in his final days. We will remember him with gratitude and affection.

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