Peter Callanan (Fianna Fail)

I join in the tributes to the memory of the late Eileen Desmond who died recently. I was at the funeral. I was good friends with Eileen for many years. I served on Cork County Council with her and knew her as a political person as well as on a personal basis. I knew all her family and extended family. We lived in neighbouring parishes and when one lives in rural Ireland, everyone knows one another. We all know the good points about people, it is just a pity they are only remembered when a person is dead. How many people would stand up and say these things about Eileen Desmond if she was seeking election?

Nonetheless, she deserves the tributes which have been paid to her and the fine words said about her this morning. I do not intend to repeat any of them. I knew her as a gentle, caring and wonderful person. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.