Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I pay tribute to Ms Kit Ahern and the contribution she made to political life. Although small in stature and fragile in appearance, she was certainly tough in spirit. As a woman in politics, and traditional politics in Kerry at that, she was a pioneer. She was a courageous woman who stood up for what she believed in and represented her community, country and gender proudly. She was something of a trail-blazer and I am proud that she was born in Limerick. It is typical of Kerry people that they try to take credit for every good that comes out of Limerick.

Kit Ahern was a modest woman in many ways and I was delighted to get to know her in the course of the emergence of the political party of which I am a member. At the tender age of 70, as Senator Alex White observed, she decided to join another political organisation to which she remained fiercely loyal until her death. As Senator Boyle said, when she left public life and the front line of politics, she continued to work loyally and tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of her local community and her political party. She was an impressive individual and a person I am proud to have associated with my political party. It is a pleasure to pay tribute to her as a person who paved the way for the involvement of women in politics. I am proud to follow in her footsteps.