Dáil debates

Thursday, 18 May 2006

Death of Staff Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

 

10:30 am

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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It is with sadness I would like to remember one of our reporters, Ms Breda Courtney, who died suddenly this week. Breda had been working with us in Leinster House since 1978. She was at her desk in front of me last week. I wish to express our deepest sympathy to all her family, friends and colleagues, especially her colleagues in the Debates Office.

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On my own behalf and that of the Government, I also express my sympathy to her family on the sad and sudden death of Ms Breda Courtney. Ms Courtney has worked in the Oireachtas since 1978 and was a parliamentary reporter since 1996. She was a Kerry woman with a strong interest in the GAA. She was completely committed to our work in this House, and it was with great regret that we learned yesterday of her sad death. I express our sympathy to her family and in particular to her sisters, Carmel, Marie and Ann.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I concur with the Tánaiste in this sentiment, an expression of sympathy on the death of Ms Courtney. I am sorry that I did not hear of it until now, but I saw her in the Houses last week. My sympathy and regrets go to her family and all her friends. The parliamentary reporters in this House have always done a fabulous job, and in that sense Ms Courtney did the State some service. We sympathise with her extended family on her passing.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I join the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Tánaiste and the leader of Fine Gael in adding words of sympathy on behalf of the Labour Party to the family of Ms Breda Courtney on her premature departure. I have known Ms Courtney for a long time, but only to say "hello" to. I agree with what Deputy Kenny has stated on the high standards met by the reporters in the Houses. I am very sad to hear of her premature death, and I convey our sympathies to her family.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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On behalf of the Green Party I wish to express my shock on hearing of the sudden death of Ms Breda Courtney. It is particularly sad given that the quiet, professional and methodical way in which Ms Courtney carried out her work would not have drawn comment because she was so professional. It is at a time such as this, when she is not here to appreciate it, that people are reminded of the high standard of that work. All we can do, in sadness, is extend our sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues in the Houses.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I join colleagues in expressing sympathy to the sisters, extended family and all the bereaved on the death of Ms Breda Courtney. As it was with Deputy Kenny, this is unfortunately the first I have known of it. I would have liked the opportunity to have previously extended our sympathies to her work colleagues. I take the opportunity this morning to do so. We rarely get the opportunity to express our appreciation of the work carried out by people such as Ms Courtney and the reporting team here. She would not mind if we use the opportunity to convey our appreciation to all her colleagues here in their continuing work. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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On behalf of the Independent group in this House I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy on Ms Breda Courtney's death. It is a sorry day that we cannot see her at the reporter's desk.