Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Richard Hourigan was a Limerick man. The Hourigan name is synonymous with Fine Gael politics in County Limerick and it is with great sadness that on behalf of my colleagues in Seanad Éireann I mark the untimely passing of Richard Hourigan. He was a distinguished member of our party for a long period, not just in the Seanad, but also as a committed Fine Gael activist. Today, we mark his untimely passing.

Richard Hourigan was a Member of the Seanad from 1982 to 1987 and from 1989 to 1992. I did not know him, but during the last Seanad election campaign I got to know his brother, Paddy Hourigan. I was very well treated when I called to the Hourigan household in County Limerick on a beautiful summer evening, where I spent a long time doing my best to put forward my point of view. Richard will be sadly missed by his family, his community in County Limerick and the Fine Gael activist base in the county.