Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I wish to be associated with the warm and well deserved tributes that have been paid to the late Kit Ahern. I did not know Kit well but she struck me as a kind and most pleasant lady on every occasion I met her. She was a great conversationalist and a wonderful contributor to everything in which she was involved. It is good and fitting that her cousin, Senator O'Sullivan, should be here to pay tribute to her.

She was a great national president of the ICA. As county president for some of that period, my mother worked well with her. Kit had a tremendous record of dedicated and distinguished service, both locally and nationally. She was a wonderful leader of the county council — the first female chairman — in 1977. She was a great representative and promoter of Kerry and a wonderful director of Bord Fáilte. She served well in this and the other House. Her contribution to everything she did speaks for itself. Kit led a full life. I extend my deepest sympathy to her family.