Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I convey my sincere condolences and those of my Fianna Fáil colleagues to Seán Keegan's wife Mary and his children, Marie, Nan, Nuala, Tom and Gearóid on the sad loss of our former colleague and a loyal servant of the people of Westmeath. Seán was a stalwart of our party, on the county council, in the Seanad and here in the Dáil. He was a committed republican and a politician who took great pride in representing the people of Westmeath here in our National Parliament.

As many of his friends in this House will know, Seán came from a patriotic family with a strong background in public service. Seán's father had been active in the War of Independence and Seán himself developed a strong association with many of the founders of the Fianna Fáil party, who had a prominent role in the quest for national self-determination. In his political life Seán was first elected to Westmeath County Council in 1955 at a time when Eamon de Valera still led Fianna Fáil. In 1965, Seán contested his first general election at the behest of Seán Lemass. Seán and I both entered the Dáil on the same day in 1977. By that stage, Seán was however a veteran of our parliamentary party having been elected to the Seanad in a by-election in 1970.

I remember Seán in this period as a person who was unfailingly courteous and helpful to new Members of the Oireachtas. He was always anxious to speak at our parliamentary party meetings. He always had a contribution to make about issues and particularly issues to do with rural Ireland and the midlands. Throughout our shared time in Leinster House, Seán was a dedicated, hardworking and patriotic Deputy. He viewed it as a privilege to represent the people of his constituency of Longford-Westmeath. As a Deputy, he gave tangible effect to his patriotism by working diligently to improve the quality of life in his community and more importantly for less well off people in his community. He was very honoured to say that he strongly supported them.

In his time, Seán gave committed service to Fianna Fáil, which we remember today on this side of the House, to people of all persuasions in Westmeath and to the country. He will be sadly missed by his wife Mary, his five children, his wider family and friends. I met Seán during the course of the general election campaign this year. Even though his health was declining he was very anxious to be out and about in support of the democratic process. From this side of the House we will remember him as a loyal and faithful servant who served in both Houses of the Oireachtas, who served at local government level, and who was a diligent and active person about politics throughout the country but particularly in his native constituency. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I join the Taoiseach in extending the commiserations of the Fine Gael Party to all Seán Keegan's Fianna Fáil colleagues, and particularly to his wife Mary and family members who are here. Many people in the current Dáil will not remember Seán Keegan. When we look back through the Dáil records and see the names of those who served in this House from whatever part of the country or whatever party, sometimes the names do not jump out at us because of the service of years gone by. From this side of the House someone who passes away and who was a staunch member of the Fine Gael Party would be referred to as a true blue, which has connotations from different years. It could always be said of the late Seán Keegan that he was a true Fianna Fáil supporter, absolutely rigid in his belief about Fianna Fáil's core values in what it stood for. He was never afraid to express those views and if one got him primed up at the right time one would get a demonstration of the defence of Fianna Fáil in all circumstances.

I recall Seán Keegan, both as a Senator and as a Deputy. As in all Dáileanna there are particular characters who stand out. I recall, as I am sure his wife, Mary, will recall, the white suit in which he occasionally left Kilbeggan when coming to the Dáil. He attended a meeting of the joint committee on secondary legislation in Brussels, on which I was also a young recruit. The topic under discussion was the 50-mile limit and fishing rights, about which the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, will know. The senior official of the Commission was giving a presentation on a fishing problem which lasted for approximately two and a half hours, in the course of which several instalments of tea and strong coffee were brought in. The director presenting the case for fishing rights was dunking his teabag in his cup for ten minutes. In absolute exasperation the late Seán Keegan said: "Look, as far as I can see the only fishing you've ever done is in that cup in front of you". He said to me when leaving that room: "When we're away from Ireland, we have to stick together". Irrespective of the depth of feeling he had for his party he still recognised what needed to be done for his country.

Those who have given the length of service that Seán Keegan gave from 1955 until 1982 will recognise it is a long period of public service. I recall in 1977, as Deputy O'Rourke will, that it was Deputy Seán Keegan's surplus that elected former Deputy Albert Reynolds to the House in the first instance and all that flowed from that. I commiserate with Mary Keegan and her children, Gearóid, Tom, Nan, Marie and Nuala and with the Fianna Fáil Party on losing a stalwart son. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On behalf of the Labour Party, I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Kenny in expressing my personal sympathy and that of my party with Mary Keegan and her family on the death of the late Seán Keegan. For someone to have served through four decades as a public representative from the time of his election to Westmeath County Council in 1955 to his time in Dáil Éireann in the 1980s is a great personal achievement. It is a great tribute to Seán Keegan to have enjoyed the support of the people of Longford-Westmeath over time.

I did not know Seán Keegan, but I knew of him. In the early part of my life as a trade union official I remember attending meetings in places like Burlington Klopman in Longford, with drainage workers in Mullingar and Ericsson in Athlone, and hearing people talk of Seán Keegan and what he had done to help them. No greater tribute can be paid to a public representative than to be spoken of in such high terms by the people he or she represents. Although I did not know him, Seán Keegan was always spoken of very highly by the people he represented. I extend the sympathy of the Labour Party to Mary Keegan and her family on their personal loss. I also extend our sympathy to Fianna Fáil on its political loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le muintir Seán Keegan. While I did not know Seán Keegan, from those remaining in the House who served with him I know he was very highly regarded and epitomised the very best qualities of public service and dedication to his country and his constituents. He was a committed local politician who served the people of Westmeath diligently throughout his long career in local and national politics. He served on Westmeath County Council, in Seánad Éireann and in this House following the 1977 election. When he left the House in 1982, he remained active in local politics. I would like to extend the Green Party's sympathies to Mary Keegan, her family, the Fianna Fáil Party and Seán's wide circle of friends and supporters. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I join previous speakers in extending our sincere sympathy to the wife and family of the late former Deputy Seán Keegan. On behalf of Sinn Féin Deputies and our Seánad representative, I also extend our sympathy to the Fianna Fáil Party on its loss of a long-serving colleague who clearly invested a considerable part of his life in the service of the party's development. I did not have the pleasure of knowing the late Seán Keegan but I accept all the fine references to his time of service. I extend our comhbhrón ó chroí don a clann uilig. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I extend my sympathy on the very sad death of their dear Seán to Mary Keegan, her family and his extended family. He contested the 1965 general election and he entered the Dáil in 1977. He was a committed member of Westmeath County Council for a long number of years and he was a committed representative of the constituency, Longford-Westmeath, between 1977 and 1982. I was elected to Westmeath County Council and I remember Seán best as the whip of our party. He gave many wise advices to me and other new members who were straining at the leash because we wanted to get moving, we wanted to condemn everything and we wanted to be up and at it. His wise advice was often heeded on reflection as being exactly what it was. He continued long after he had retired from public life to be very active in the administration of our party at comhairle Dáil ceantair level. His offered wise advice and was able to summarise issues that often cause great tension within political parties at local level. He would always utter a remark that would lead a person away from conflict and lead to more reflective thinking about an issue.

His greatest legacy is his wonderful family. His wonderful wife, Mary, throughout his public and private life, was a source of huge comfort to him. She is a woman of great dignity and bearing who carried many burdens but never spoke about them, particularly when Seán fell into ill-health, which he bravely bore. She is a stalwart and she was such a help to him. All the members of their family distinguished themselves in the calling they followed with strong personal character. While it is correct to remember those who served in public life who have passed away, they are often remembered on a personal basis. Seán and Mary Keegan's greatest achievement is the wonderful family they have and what they, in turn, have committed to the often public roles they perform. Many of them remain strong within the Fianna Fáil organisation locally. I offer my very sincere sympathy to the Keegan family and I hope these expressions of sympathy will be a source of comfort to them.

Peter Kelly (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to express my sympathy to the late Seán Keegan's wife, Mary; his sons, Tom and Gearóid; his daughters, Marie, Nan and Nuala; his sisters, Dill, Bridie, Ita and Sisters Gemma and Teresa; his brother, Fr. Tom in Australia; his in-laws; and to all his other relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

I would like to pay tribute to Seán Keegan, a fellow Fianna Fáil Deputy for Longford-Westmeath. Seán was a committed republican and representative of the constituency in both Houses of the Oireachtas. His father was very active in the War of Independence and Seán was extremely proud of his republican heritage. He too believed passionately in Irish unity but believed it should be achieved by peaceful means. He was an active and dedicated local politician who served his constituents diligently and effectively. No matter was too small or trivial for him and the numbers who attended his clinics were legendary because he was always available. He was a hard working, honest, decent man.

He served on Westmeath County Council for more than five decades, in the Seánad for seven years and in the Dáil for a further five years. Whether as a councillor, Senator or Deputy or as president of the Westmeath comhairle Dáil ceantair, he was ever present at Fianna Fáil functions. He was also a valued member of the Midland Health Board where his farming expertise was a major asset. Seán was a sincere, loyal man who served his community to the highest standards. He dedicated his life not only to public service but to his family.

His wife, Mary, and his children are immensely proud of him and his achievements. I offer them my condolences on their loss and I also offer my condolences to the people of Kilbeggan and Westmeath who have lost a true friend and advocate. I always found him to be a very courteous, friendly man. It was always a pleasure to meet Seán and his wife, Mary. I have happy memories of him and I thank him and his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy on the death of the former Deputy and Senator, Seán Keegan, who represented my constituency. I sincerely extend my condolences to his wife, Mary; his children, Gearóid, Tom, Nan, Marie and Nuala; his sisters; his brother, Father Tom, who lives in Australia; and the Fianna Fáil Party. Seán was a representative of Longford-Westmeath during a political career that began in 1955. He was elected chairman of Westmeath County Council in 1974-75; to the Seánad following a by-election in 1970; and to this House in 1977 when Fianna Fáil had a landslide victory. It was not as good in terms of seat numbers as our result in the recent general election but, unfortunately, we did not get into government afterwards.

However, I knew Seán well as a colleague on the old Midland Health Board. I recall many incidents at board meetings. Seán was also a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. One of the proposals he made to the health board when anti-social behaviour increased and law and order began to break down in a number midland towns was that all discos should close at midnight. This did not go down well with many board members. On another occasion a few years ago, I took a stance on the dismantling of health services in the midlands. I was the only member ever expelled from a health board but when Seán left the room afterwards, he said to me that he admired me for the principled stance I had taken. That will go with me to my grave because he was a man of principle. He was a great advocate of law and order and his greatest passion, other than politics, was farming and country life. He operated a successful farming business in Kilbeggan. His family connections extend into County Longford, where his daughter, Nan, lives on the outskirts of Longford town.

Sean was an extremely hard working representative for Longford-Westmeath. Throughout his political life and beyond, he was always willing to help his constituents and neighbours and he had a long and distinguished association with many organisations throughout Westmeath. He was a principled politician and that is how I will chiefly remember him. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him within the community, which is lessened by his passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.