John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I recall when I entered the House with Senator Ó Foighil and I share Senator O'Toole's recollection of him moving backwards and forwards on the benches. My abiding recollection is of him speaking in Irish on a daily basis from the back bench.

Former Senator Ó Foighil was singlehandedly responsible for bringing about the establishment of an córas aistriúcháin, the translation service that now exists for the Houses of the Oireachtas. There was very little technological backup available to the Houses at that time. I was also very grateful to Senator Ó Foighil for looking after my children so well when they went to the Gaeltacht. He was a key figure in the development of the Irish college movement. We are also aware of his work for the islands and within the community of Connemara and his membership of Údaras na Gaeltachta. Many of the core cumainn in that area, which have done valuable work, owe their existence to him. He was a very potent figure in terms of the support and development of a neglected part of the country and should be saluted for that. I share the sentiments expressed in all the tributes to him.