Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I echo the sentiments of all speakers and, as a Sligo person, convey my sympathy to the late Senator's wife and children on behalf of the people of the county. I had the honour of meeting Michael Yeats on several occasions, most notably when he was made a freeman of the Borough of Sligo. It was always very nice to meet the man, since he was a genuinely warm and pleasant person to talk to, and the conversation could be extremely interesting. There is no doubt he was a mine of information, and I certainly enjoyed his company each time I met him. He made a considerable contribution to the Fianna Fáil party. He was most influential in the early years of the party from the 1950s on, as Cathaoirleach and as a member of the European Parliament. I express my deepest sympathy on behalf of Sligo people to his wife, his three daughters and his son, Pádraig.