Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

On behalf of the Fine Gael Party and the Fine Gael group in Seanad Éireann, I wish to pay tribute to the late Senator Tony Kett, who sadly passed away following a lengthy illness, which he fought with dignity and courage to the end. To see a life cut so short is truly saddening and I know my colleagues will agree Tony was a most amiable and personable colleague in the House. His election to the House on three consecutive occasions to the Administrative Panel speaks volumes about his popularity within the Fianna Fáil Party and the high esteem in which he was held by his colleagues here.

While hailing from Ballinasloe, County Galway, Senator Kett made a real and lasting impression on political campaigns in Dublin. Having worked with the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on all of his election campaigns, he replaced him on Dublin City Council and went on to be elected to the council in the 1999 local elections. There is no doubt he played a major role in creating the formidable Fianna Fáil campaign machine in Dublin Central. As the Cathaoirleach said, he gave 40 years of service to the Fianna Fáil Party.

I also wish to acknowledge his huge contribution to the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC, the work he did there and his interest in disability and special needs issues over the years. I admired and respected the dedication and commitment he showed to the House. Even when extremely ill, he turned up in the House to cast his vote and go about his business. That dedication must be respected and acknowledged by every one of us.

To his wife, Noreen, his son, Jason, his two daughters, Joanne and Jenifer, the Fianna Fáil group in the Seanad and the wider Fianna Fáil Party, I extend my sincere condolences on the loss of man described as a "decent and hard working public representative". Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.