Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I often think when called upon for expressions of sympathy it is a matter of no joy but of great concern. For the Fine Gael Party, this is an intensely sad time. On behalf of my party and its Members in the Seanad, I express deep sympathy to the McMahon family on the sad death of their dear father, father-in-law and brother, Larry McMahon. We are honoured that in the Visitors Gallery are Lorcan, Ronan, Conor, Ciarán, Niamh, Claire, Larry's sister, Sister Pascal, his son-in-law and daughters-in-law. This shows a huge family commitment and this big presence bears witness to the late Larry McMahon's strong commitment as a family person, a person steeped in the tradition of the family. This is a fine family who suffered a loss not that long ago in the death of their dear mother, Ursula.

I listened to the expressions of sympathy in the other House this morning in order that I would pick up the texture and colour of them. There is no doubt that, as a devoted husband, when Larry McMahon lost his wife, Ursula, it seemed as if the spark had gone from his life, which diminished within him the will to stay and fight his ill health.

He was a wonderful public representative, whether it was as a community activist, a local representative, a Deputy or a Senator. Throughout all the strands of public life he served, Larry McMahon brought his unique blend of commitment to community involvement, family strength and devotion to his own area or his own patch.

He served for 22 years as a Fine Gael Deputy and Senator. He was a member of Dublin County Council for more than 30 years. He was elected Fine Gael Deputy for Dublin South-West in a by-election following the resignation of Kevin Boland from the then Government and Dáil during the arms crisis. What seems a far distant event is not so distant, and it is epitomised here in the Visitors Gallery by his family who, as younger people, lived with him through those traumatic times in which he entered national public life. Great stress is rightly placed on commitment to public service, pro bono publico. In this consumer age, an age often seen as one characterised by greed, commitment to public life is not often talked about, highlighted or publicised enough.

I knew Larry McMahon well around Leinster House. He was unfailingly courteous and nice when one would meet him, whether on the corridors, in the lift, the canteen or elsewhere. He was pleasant, affable and somebody with whom one would like to linger and have a few words. That trait is one that is not commented on sufficiently. People either have it or they do not, but he had it in abundance.

On behalf of my party in the Seanad, I express our sympathy to his lovely family, his extended family and to his dear sister. In this House where he was an avid and hardworking Senator he will be remembered with great fondness. Equally, in Leinster House in general the remembrances of Larry McMahon will be of a good man who did his duty for his country, county and constituency.