Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I want to pay tribute to a favourite son of Sligo, Tommie Gorman, who has left us way too soon. Tommie was a highly respected and trusted journalist for whom context, accuracy and outcomes mattered just as much as the story itself. We also saw Tommie as a real person. Many people felt they walked alongside him on his personal cancer journey and his recovery. For Tommie, of course, his own cancer experience became the catalyst for ensuring the most innovative and effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancer were made available to all patients in Ireland at St. Vincent's hospital, just as they are throughout the EU and in Sweden. This was just one of the many voluntary activities and fundraisers he spearheaded. Tommie never did things by half. Tommie was rooted in Sligo with a sprinkling of Leitrim and he made sure everyone knew of his Sligo connections. Many people throughout the country felt a real sense of sadness when they heard of Tommie's death but that loss is deeper in Sligo. Tommie was one of the good guys and we were so proud that he was one of us. My sympathies to his wife Ceara, his children Joe and Moya, his sister Mary and brother Michael. Their loss is the deepest. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Today is also a day for good wishes to the two Michael Macs, Deputy Michael McGrath on his nomination as Ireland's nominee for European Commissioner and Deputy Michael McNamara on his election as an MEP, and, of course, to the man of the moment the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, on his appointment as Minister for Finance. I wish him well. If he does well the country does well but in this context I have some comments. The money he spends on budget day is the people's money, not Government money, and he is entrusted to spend it effectively and prudently. The Tánaiste is reported as speaking of the central role Deputy Chambers will have in planning the next election. I understand the reality of politics but his core role should be in planning for the next five, ten and 20 years. I ask that the one-off payments in the previous two budgets, particularly in the area of social welfare increases, are replaced by guaranteed flat rate increases year on year. This would make a real difference to those who rely on the payments in the medium and longer term. Then we could call our budgets progressive.

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