He retired from public life as a Member of the Oireachtas at a reasonably young age. He was under 50 when he did so and decided he would continue with his county council work and involvement in public affairs. He was hugely interested in his constituents and in representing them fairly and fully, and to that end he devoted considerable time. On behalf of my party, I pay tribute to his years of service in public office and join with Senator Brian Hayes in sympathising with his family.