Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

All Members of the House wish to sympathise with the family of Mr. Pat Joe Reynolds. A former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, he had a long and distinguished career in the Dáil and at one time served as a Parliamentary Secretary. His career was crowned with his term as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

The Reynolds family is much connected with democratic politics. Its members have known the heat of the sun and endured many difficult situations. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our sympathy to Pat Joe's wife, Tess, his sons, Gerry and Peter, and his daughters, Ita and Regina.

When we express sympathy with the family of Pat Joe Reynolds, we think of the Reynolds family and what it has contributed. His father, Paddy, as he was known, was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1927. When he died in tragic circumstances in 1932, his wife, Mary, took the seat and held it for 29 years. We talk about female participation in both Houses. It was remarkable that Mrs. Mary Reynolds held that seat for such a long time. The family gave 75 years of unbroken service to the Oireachtas. That is a great record of commitment to politics.

I knew the late Pat Joe Reynolds well because my brother, the late Brian Lenihan, shared the same constituency of Roscommon-Leitrim for a number of years. One of the warmest expressions of sympathy we received as a family when Brian passed away was from Pat Joe Reynolds and his family. It was touching and evocative and I never forgot them for it. He gave great service to the people of his constituency and to the GAA. His family were huge players, literally, on the field and in the council chambers of the GAA. We all know Gerry, who was an esteemed Member of the other House.

I know you, a Chathaoirligh, have memories of him, which I am sure you will share. He was a fair Cathaoirleach. He expressed the wishes of the people and he had dignity and bearing. He carried out his functions with great dignity and aplomb. Thank God he lived to the good age of 83. He died in the bosom of his family. It is truly memorable that his family gave 75 years of unbroken public service in both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is not something we are likely to come across again.

To his wife, Tess, his two sons, Gerry and Peter, and his daughters, Ita and Regina, I, on behalf of my party, express our sympathy and friendship to the Reynolds family.