Brendan Ryan (Labour)

The Labour Party also wishes to be associated with the expressions of sympathy. I was struck by the Leader's references to record of the House which can be used to identify the qualities of someone whom none of us really remembers. As with Senator O'Toole, 1969 was a major time in my life. It is said of the 1960s that if you can remember them, you were not there. I cannot remember where I was in the summer of 1969, but I remember a certain election slogan I will not mention which promised something that did not materialise.

A person who gives 25 years of public service is, by definition, somebody who is worthy of respect and remark. It is a long time, but after that the former Senator O'Reilly experienced another 34 years of life. It is a great tribute to him. To give 25 years of diligent service in the pursuit of serious issues is the sort of fine model of citizenship the country needs. On behalf of the Labour Party, I express our wish to be associated with the sympathies of the House to the late Senator Patrick O'Reilly's family.