Joe O'Toole (Independent)

——and the now eminent member of the Judiciary, Sean O'Leary, was voting against the Offences Against the State Bill, as brought forward by the Government of the time. I always recall that occasion. The Government won the vote but former Senator O'Leary lost the Whip for a while. However, they shook hands later.

Luke had to work hard in business. The Belton name would always be seen as associated with wealth but, as Senator Brian Hayes rightly pointed out, while Luke came in as part of that, he had to work his way up. It was never that easy for him. He was always working to keep a business life and a political life going, so he was always on the edge. He and his wife, Lil, were always of the most generous nature and noted for being so, and they were very popular in their native Longford. It was on one a trip to a Belton event in Longford that I met the then potential councillor, now Senator and prospective Deputy, James Bannon, who was closely associated with them at that time.

It demeans tributes to talk too much in personal terms but I wish to record that Luke Belton was completely committed to political life. He loved it, wanted to make it work and gave it everything. He is a good role model. He did not become a senior Minister or anything like that, but he was a hard-working backbench politician who worked for his party and his country. To his wife, Lil, their four children and the Fine Gael Party, I offer my sincere condolences on behalf of the Independent Senators.