Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 April 2007

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

 

3:00 pm

Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

Like Senator Feeney, it is with great sadness I note the passing of our great friend and colleague, Senator Kate Walsh, whom I did not know until I met her in the Seanad, though I had heard of her on account of her extraordinary vote-getting abilities in Kildare, to which other Senators referred. Any of us who have stood for election must have great admiration and respect for somebody of that calibre.

While some Senators may be disappointed to be Members of this rather than the other House, she was utterly happy to be a Member of the Seanad. She extended the hand of friendship to everybody, including myself. I remember with great affection having cups of tea on numerous occasions with Senators Terry, Feeney and Kate Walsh, sharing a laugh and a joke together. For Kate, party differences were as nothing and she simply wanted to be with people. One of her great qualities lay in the fact that things were never about her but about others, and there was no ego in her make-up. She had generosity, was big-hearted and was always giving to other people.

I extend my sincere condolences to her family and to her great friends in the community in Celbridge. We will not forget her and I certainly will not forget her friendship.

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