Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

This is a sad day for the Seanad and the Oireachtas. Senator Kate Walsh loved the Seanad. Many Senators love being Members but do not want to be here, but she loved being here and adored the House. I was in the Chair when she made her maiden speech. She was very nervous about it and about how she would perform and wanted to know afterwards how she did. Thereafter, she was a great contributor.

Senator Kate Walsh had two great qualities, warmth and humility, and these attributes attracted many to her. One would never pass her by without saying, "Hello", such was her attractiveness. I received many Christmas text messages from her which I will miss. For her holidays this year she based herself in Castlebar and visited the hot spots there and in Westport, Knock and Ballina, which she really enjoyed.

I visited her in St. Vincent's Hospital. She took her illness very lightly and bore it with great strength. Her many friends visited her constantly and I could understand, therefore, her success in politics. I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to her brother, John, and her sisters, Noreen and Ann. While this is a sad day and we will miss her greatly in this House, we will remember her for many a year to come.