Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I rise with great sadness to pay tribute to the late, great Kate Walsh. I met Kate many years ago, long before she became a Member of this House, when she was elected as an Independent candidate to Kildare County Council. Something that struck me initially about Kate Walsh was her great friendship and her capacity to make one feel at ease in her company. She was generous to a fault. She was generous with her time and that was borne out by her many interests, especially in the elderly. She was a great champion of the elderly and that was borne out in many practical ways. Despite her genial personality she cut to the chase. If Kate Walsh had something to say, she did not mince her words. One knew exactly what she meant. This world is comprised of givers and takers. Kate Walsh fell into the category of the giver. She gave of herself and she was generous to a fault. When Kate told me that she had been asked to stand for the Progressive Democrats I said it was a great honour to be asked by a national party to be their candidate. She responded by saying she would give it a bash and whether she won, lost or draw, tomorrow life would go on. That was Kate Walsh — philosophical in every way.

The Progressive Democrats have lost a great champion and a great member but the poorer of Kate Walsh's passing will be the people of Celbridge and the wider community because she served them faithfully and loyally. If one called to her house, as I did as a Seanad candidate, one was made very welcome. Those of us who knew Kate for the length of time we did have been privileged. There is no better way to sum up Kate Walsh than by saying she was a lady. It was typical of the dignity of the woman that when I called for a debate on diabetes in the House she told me to keep up my campaign because the condition was a silent killer that had serious adverse effects on the health services. She was so supportive in that regard.

I will not repeat what has been said about Kate other than to say I am privileged to have known her and to have had her friendship. She had a great friendship with a first cousin of mine who is married to a member of the Garda Síochána and who served with her late husband. We often spoke about those matters as my forebears on my grandfather's side came from Kildare; a number of my relatives still live in the area.

Kate Walsh's passing creates a void that will be very difficult to fill. The community of Celbridge has lost a great champion. The elderly and the underprivileged have lost a great champion and this House has lost a great Member. To John, Noreen and Ann, her immediate family and her extended family, I extend my deepest sympathy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.