John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I join with other Members in paying tribute to the memory of John Francis Conlan and extend our sympathy to his wife and two children.

He was first elected in his 20s to Monaghan County Council in 1955 so he was a very long serving member of that council and also of the town commission and other public bodies in that area. This is a remarkable level of service in total, apart from his extended service in Dáil Éireann. Today of all days, given the circumstances in Northern Ireland, there is a very powerful message of reconciliation and commitment to democracy from John Francis's life and the experience of his family which we should bear in mind.

I am sure our colleague, Senator O'Brien, will be able to elaborate in greater detail as to John's contribution locally and nationally, but he was also involved in the business life of Monaghan in Ballybay. He was one of those people who laid the foundations of business and commerce in rural Ireland at a time when, as was stated earlier, things were very different, life was difficult and people had to live frugally. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.