Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I am pleased and honoured to have an opportunity to say a few words about my long-standing political colleague, Michael Howard. While all of us will have thousands of memories when we leave politics, only a few will be abiding ones of the things we did and people we met. One of my lifelong memories of my time in Leinster House is the night I was first elected to the Seanad in 1987. After I was elected at 8 or 9 o'clock in the evening, the count commenced for the industrial and commercial panel on which Michael stood. He received a tremendous first preference vote and at about 3 a.m., when the count reached a conclusion and I was still on a high having been elected to the House - I considered myself a person of serious importance - he and I went out to the plinth where he produced a pipe and lit up. We spoke for about an hour on life, politics and where our careers were heading. Bizarrely, in perhaps the greatest turnaround in Seanad electoral history, Michael lost his seat by the narrowest of margins the following day. Michael was, however, a gentleman and stayed around with his permanent smile for a full week. Two years later, we were all thrilled when he was re-elected to Seanad Éireann.

Michael Howard was the definition of the word "gentleman" and, as has been noted, a superb political strategist. As colleagues and friends on both sides are aware, for a long time it was considered impossible that Fine Gael could win two out of four seats in County Clare. This seemingly impossible goal was achieved in three if not four elections under the astute direction of Michael Howard who took great pleasure in assisting Donal Carey and Madeleine Taylor-Quinn to become Dáil Deputies.

Another characteristic of Michael Howard which strikes a strong chord with me was his regular visits to the House when he finally left the Oireachtas in 1997. He was one of the former Members, whether they voluntarily left the House or were defeated in an election, to return to the House to be with friends and former colleagues and offer advice. Michael visited every month and loved to have a chat and the craic with us all.

Michael Howard was a gentleman and pioneer in every respect. My first visit to a health farm, which I understood only existed in Sweden, was to Michael's farm. I never expected to find a farmer running a health farm in County Clare.

Michael Howard had vision, experience and a breadth of knowledge. Above all, he had a smile on his face at all times. I never heard him complain about anyone in politics and never saw him frown or grumble. For him, politics was about public service and he provided that service with a smile. That is the greatest tribute we can pay to him. If more people like him were involved in politics, it would be the best possible advertisement for the profession. His memory will remain with us and while we are sad he has gone, we are happy and joyful that he has left such a legacy. His decency, sincerity and permanent smile will be what we always remember of him.