Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I was in the House for a period when Bernard Markey was a Senator. To be described as a liberal in the times he served as a Senator and a Deputy was not a great political asset and required courage and conviction. I recall the phrase, "the forces of evil", being used to describe us collectively at one stage, and it took considerable courage to be of that mind in any political party at that time. I do not wish to suggest otherwise.

It is tragic to see somebody who had such energy, conviction and interest in so many areas die at such a comparatively young age. It reminds us that what we do in politics is worth doing now because we do not know how much time the Lord will give us. It is wonderful for Bernard Markey's family to know that things were done by him which would not otherwise have been done by anybody else, and that issues were raised and constituents were looked after. We, in the Labour Party, would like to be associated with the remarks that have been made and with the sympathy extended to his family.