Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I join Senator Brian Hayes in paying tribute to the late Mr. Bernard Markey. I was a member of the Seanad from February to November 1982 when he served in Dáil Éireann and I had several conversations with him. I did not fight those three general elections. I was contesting Seanad elections at that time. I recall having a conversation with him in the corridor during which we spoke about politics. He had very interesting observations to make. I was struck by his commitment and devotion to his home town of Ardee, of which he spoke lovingly and vehemently. As Senator Brian Hayes said, he was also very much on the liberal wing of Fine Gael, which must have been difficult given the many causes he espoused. Some of them were very difficult to speak about.