Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)

I too wish to join in the tributes to the late Senator Gordon Lambert. He became a Senator in 1977 when he was appointed by the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch. I served in this House with him and I believe I am the only Member here today who served with him. I found him to be one of the most dedicated Senators who made very constructive and valuable contributions to debates. I do not have any knowledge of the 1981 election to which Senator O'Rourke referred. I was a shy Senator at the time and I do not remember whether I asked Senator O'Rourke for a vote but I definitely did not receive a telephone call.

Senator Lambert was for many years the managing director of Jacob's biscuits. I may not always agree that Senator Coghlan is correct but he is in this case when he stated that Senator Lambert conceived the slogan, "How do they get the figs into the fig rolls?" He was the first non-family member of the board and devised the Jacobs Irish television awards in 1962.

His interest in politics was national and he played an important part in improving relations between the North and South. As Senator Minihan mentioned, he organised the first meeting of the Belfast and Dublin chambers of commerce in 1962 at a lunch in Jacobs with the then Taoiseach, Seán Lemass. He was renowned for his interest in the arts and he came from a family renowned for its sporting achievements. I extend my sympathies to the family. The House will observe a minute's silence.