John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Leader for giving me the opportunity to lead our tribute to Senator Kate Walsh. It is my sad duty to mark her passing — the passing of an esteemed and much-loved colleague — and pay tribute to her life and work. In expressing our sadness and great sense of loss at Kate's untimely passing, I know I speak not only for myself, my Progressive Democrats colleagues and all the Members of Seanad Éireann, but for the entire community of the Houses of the Oireachtas, including all staff. I can say that with confidence because I know that Senator Walsh, or just Kate, as we all affectionately knew her, touched everyone here who came into contact with her and we were all enriched and made happier by the experience. Many more people in her home town of Celbridge and around the country were touched by her in the same way. Kate's whole life was about giving of herself to help others without ever wanting a reward or anything in return, other than friendship. To be a friend of Kate Walsh was a prized and precious gift.

Kate Whelan came from the rural community of Mageney on the Laois-Kildare border, a community she was immensely proud of and where her roots were deep. She went to live in Celbridge, where she married Eugene Walsh and lived on the main street. She saw Celbridge grow from a small village to a city suburb, but the values at the heart of rural life stayed with Kate right through those changes, such as mutual support, concern for neighbours and community action. Kate often spoke about her late husband Eugene and about his death on Christmas day. He was a member of the Garda Síochána and Kate was fiercely proud of the force, being a great advocate and defender of it. The record of this House bears testimony to that.

She was elected to Kildare County Council in 1999, securing more votes than her high profile Dáil colleague, Deputy Stagg, and exceeding the quota by more than almost anyone else in the country. She was elected as an independent member of the council and from my own time on the council, I know that she was a fearless and formidable advocate for her constituents and community. She went on to become a member of the vocational education committee. As we came to know in this House, there was no better person to come straight out and let everyone know her displeasure if she felt officials or colleagues were being obstructive when people's rights were at issue.

Kate then joined the Progressive Democrats and I believe it was the pinnacle of her life when, on the recommendation of the then Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, she was appointed to Seanad Éireann by the Taoiseach. She was never complacent or negative about being a Senator. She regarded it as a great honour and privilege to be a Member of the Oireachtas. She liked nothing better than a joke or a laugh, but she was completely serious about fulfilling her responsibilities here in attending, in speaking and in voting. When she became ill, she frequently worried about letting down her understanding Chief Whip, Senator Moylan. She wanted to be here and even when her health made it difficult to attend, she made the effort.

Her whole life was about looking after and encouraging others, especially those who were vulnerable and disadvantaged. She raised huge amounts of money for Care of the Aged and other community support groups by organising the annual Black and White Ball in Celbridge. Even up to the time of her death she was planning this year's silver jubilee event. She ran a Christmas party for 300 older citizens each year and even managed to produce the Garda band for the children's party and the switching on of Christmas lights on 8 December. She was the mayor of Celbridge for many years by popular vote and whenever there was talk of an election, the general attitude was there was no point as nobody would stand a chance against her.

The events in Kate's life simply underscore the fact that helping the community and individuals was at the core of her existence. She became politically prominent, but even if she had never become a public representative, she would have continued doing her work. She would be greatly embarrassed to have her achievements celebrated today in a public way, but she deserves no less than our recognition and our love.

Kate was a diabetic, a fact she wanted people to know and about which she spoke with real authority and passion in this House. Almost a year ago, she told the House:

Diabetes is a real and current problem in Ireland. People must go for a check-up. Diabetes is detected by a simple blood test, which is quick and relatively painless, but is so important. Until we begin to tire of stating that message, then we have not said it often enough.

With the characteristic good humour that she brought to every aspect of her life, even when talking about illness, she added:

I would have thought I did enough running around here to have fulfilled my exercise quota for the day, but according to Senators Glynn and Browne and possibly Senator O'Meara, I have not done enough. I will not, however, walk to Celbridge.

As the Tánaiste said in his tribute, Kate was a lovely person and a true friend. She was a gentle yet brave woman and her achievements made her an inspirational figure. We join together, in the presence of the Cathaoirleach, in saluting Kate's life and work and in expressing our sympathy to her brother, John, and sisters, Noreen and Ann, her many friends in Celbridge and the people in these Houses and throughout the country who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace.