Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that this is a man who for more than 40 years touched the lives of all of us and informed us about so many important events, including the earth-shattering nature of the Stardust fire, the end of apartheid in South Africa, ongoing news of our own peace processes, the Twin Towers attacks - will we ever forget them? - and the 2004 Indonesian tsunami.

.As Members, including the Minister, Deputy Foley, have said, he touched the lives of people suffering with that dreadful condition, motor neuron disease, to give them courage and hope and, in his practical endeavours by raising more than €3 million for research into that disease, for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association and for Pieta House, he has given really practical assistance in a way that will have lasting effect. I join with Members in extending deepest sympathies to Claire and his daughters Orla and Nessa. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

See this speech in context