John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

——romance can blossom at the long counts in cold halls around the country. The best thing I can do is read what Garret FitzGerald said in his autobiography which sums up the man very well.

The director of elections was Seán O'Leary, a Cork accountant and barrister who had himself been a Dáil candidate and whose qualities of warmth and vitality, political gut instinct, natural authority, toughness and joie de vivre, together with his excellent relationship with our national organiser, Peter Prendergast, equipped him ideally for his task.

All his characteristics are summarised in that sentence. I do not think I can add to that.

He is described in Who's Who as the eminence grise of the Fine Gael Party. That is somewhat harsh and is not fair. He was much more than that and a much more rounded character. Reference has been made to his observations about the courts and the fact that the higher courts should not be populist. There is a message there that we as well as the courts can take to heart. I wish to be associated with all the comments that have been made and to extend our sympathy.