Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Like Senator Ross, I had the good fortune to be a Member of this House when Pat Joe Reynolds was Cathaoirleach. I had the misfortune perhaps to be suspended under his auspices on at least one occasion. When one considers what Senator Ross has just said I must have severely provoked the man and while I cannot recall the circumstances of my suspension, I am now certain that he was right and I was wrong. Pat Joe was all that Senator Ross said and there is no point in my repeating his comments. My memory of him is very similar to that of Senator Ross, of joviality, good humour and a capacity to generate affection. We all have our ups and downs in politics but one had affection for Pat Joe Reynolds and would always be delighted to see him on his occasional return visits to Leinster House after he had ceased to be involved in politics. He also had the dignity and seriousness that goes with holding a high office of State and the integrity to stand up for issues in which he believed. He often spoke of his bewilderment as many of the intricate issues connected with the first pro-life amendment were debated here in almost clinical anatomical detail. He talked of his own bewilderment at some of the material being debated in Seanad Éireann. Bewildered he might have been, but he was never out of control. He was a dignified, effective, efficient Cathaoirleach of this House, for whom I always had great affection and great respect, in spite of my occasional clashes with him. I personally regret his passing and on behalf of my colleagues in the Labour Party, I pass on our sympathies to his family and particularly to Gerry, whom I knew very well. A good person is gone from us, a good politician who brought dignity to this House, and we all deeply regret his passing.