Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We on the Independent benches wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy and extend our condolences to the family of the late former Senator Russell. None of us, unfortunately, served with him. I met him on one occasion but his name was so synonymous with Limerick over the years that even people outside the city recognise it immediately. As we always say on these occasions, his level of service to the public displayed his obvious commitment. His search for a place in politics, moving from Clann na Poblachta to Fine Gael to Independent and back, demonstrates that he was a man who thought long and hard about where his place was. He made a great contribution, going from citizen to mayor to freeman of the city, an extraordinary achievement.

He would have been more than disappointed had he seen the one-sided, biased and partial view of his native city that was presented on RTE on Monday night. People like Ted Russell struggled over the years to give a good impression of the city of Limerick. He helped to turn that city around, building new shopping areas and extending it to become a fine city of culture, concert halls and sport. He would have been taken aback by the image of the city broadcast on television on Monday.

We extend our sympathies to his wife, children and extended family.