David Norris (Independent)

I knew Michael Howard for many years. He was a man of considerable courtesy and charm and was always immaculately dressed and presented. In a profession which is not replete with gentlemen, he definitely was a gentleman and exhibited that in all his dealings.

I had not intended to speak, but I had the pleasure of meeting some of his family about 20 minutes ago so I came up here. I asked my colleague Senator Joe O'Toole if he had put on the record an interesting fact he had told me, but he told me he had forgotten it. That fact was that we are all indebted to Senator Howard because it was he who found the crack in the ceiling. This resulted in the closure of the Chamber because of the dangerous condition of the ceiling. Without Senator Howard's eagle eye, some of us might not have been here today or may have been covered in debris from the ceiling. Michael Howard would have enjoyed that because while he knew when to be solemn, he had the most wonderful sense of humour. 1 o'clock

Michael's son who is a distinguished lawyer at the Bar told me he had devilled with a friend of mine and a decent man, John McBratney, who was responsible for me becoming a Member of the House. At a point when I was about to give up, John told me at a meeting that he would leave a few suggestions behind. The suggestion was a cheque for £500, almost the only contribution I ever received. I cashed it and used the money. I am not surprised he was a friend of Michael Howard who was also a decent, supportive man.

I also helped out in a way because, as I told Michael's family, I did not always attend GAA matches and in those days, as Members of the Oireachtas, we used to get two tickets each for the all-Ireland final. Michael, in a very delicate way, would always ask if any tickets were available for the final and I would give them to him. I was shocked and saddened to learn of Michael's untimely death. He will be missed but he has left behind a family of whom he can be very proud.