David Norris (Independent)

I have never been terribly enthusiastic about the paying of formal tributes as they are sometimes to people none of us in this House knows. This, however, is a very different occasion, as well as a very sad one. It is marked out as different by the fact none of the words uttered today is purely ceremonial or learnt by rote. Every single word is deeply felt and part of a genuine tribute to a remarkable woman.

Kate Walsh was a very decent woman with a mischievous twinkle in her eye which I always enjoyed. I also liked the fact that her roots, like my own, were in the county of Laois. The name of the last speaker, Senator Kieran Phelan, is one of the great names of County Laois, being one of the important septs of that beautiful county. I found Senator Walsh a very pleasant and professional colleague.

I met her frequently over the years in Celbridge, her home territory, always at charitable events. Groups such as St. Gabriel's have lost a stout and valiant champion. They will miss her, especially in the current controversy surrounding the distraining of grants from the mentally handicapped in residential care because she would have been formidable on that issue.

I was very shocked to hear of her death, though it was obvious she suffered from poor health from time to time, which she faced with great courage. I heard of her death yesterday. I was having lunch with another good friend of mine, namely, the last surviving nephew of James Joyce and his wife, who live in Celbridge. They were greatly shocked to hear of the news and they both said she would be a great loss. She was an extraordinarily generous woman. While others have chosen different words to describe the late Kate Walsh, I would use and endorse the word, "generous". She was generous with her money and in particular with her commitment and the time she gave to voluntary causes. I also wish to extend my deepest sympathy to her family, friends and party.