Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I join in the words of sympathy to Kate's brother and sisters. As Government Whip dealing with all Members, I know Kate in particular was a person of exceptional talent. Her word was her bond. Her work for the voluntary and community sector was an example for any public representative to follow and she had particular concern for the elderly.

Kate was a very brave person who bore her illness to the end. She had a deep sense of duty to Seanad Éireann and to the Progressive Democrats Party. Any time one spoke to her, she emphasised that sense of duty. If every Government Member of Seanad Éireann showed the same loyalty to my office, it would be an easy job to be Government Whip. She was a lovely person and a true friend. When she was seriously ill in recent times, she often told Sarah and myself in the Whip's office that if we were under serious pressure, we should give her a call. That was the type of person with whom we were dealing — one with total loyalty to this House.

I extend my sympathy to her brother, John, and sisters, Noreen and Ann, to the Progressive Democrats Party, which has suffered a great loss, and to all her friends in Celbridge and that catchment area in Kildare. She was a figure they all looked up to and one who delivered for the area without seeking publicity for doing so.