Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I offer my sympathy to Deputy Seán Sherlock, his family and the Labour Party on the death of our late colleague, Joe Sherlock. Joe was a proud Corkman who served for a long time and worked hard both as a Member of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. He was first elected in 1981 to the Dáil as sole representative of Sinn Féin the Workers' Party. He lost his seat in 1982, regained it in 1987, retained it in 1989 only to lose it again in 1992. However, he won the seat back in 2002 and he served as a Member of this House between 1993 and 1997. I had the great honour and pleasure of serving with Joe Sherlock, a very humble, decent and honourable man, during that period. He won a seat on the Labour Panel, similar to myself.

He was a man of great commitment and conviction and he always represented the poor and the underprivileged. From a young age, he showed great commitment to the people of north Cork and to improving the lives of the less well off in the community. His election to Mallow Urban District Council in 1974 marked the beginning of a successful political career that spanned more than four decades.

Joe Sherlock was a committed public representative whose dedication and loyalty to the people of Mallow and north Cork will be sadly missed. They have lost a true champion who was passionate in his work on their behalf. In his brief retirement, he was extremely proud of his son Seán, who followed in his footsteps by being elected to the Dáil this year. Joe worked all his life to be elected to both Houses and to local authorities in Cork. Seán will follow in his footsteps and enhance the great reputation of the Sherlock family.

I would like to extend my sympathy to Joe's wife, Ellen; his daughter, Úna; and his sons, Joseph and Seán. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam.