Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I rise to pay tribute to the late Senator Tony Kett on behalf of the Fine Gael Seanad group and the wider Fine Gael Party. Tony served in public life with distinction, first on Dublin City Council for 15 years and then, from 1997 until his premature death, in the Seanad where he worked among us as a colleague.

Tony always seemed to be a quiet, committed, unassuming, hard working and organised person. The Leader used the word "courteous". All of us would certainly say Tony was extremely courteous in all of his dealings with us in the House. For him, politics was always about people, which was evident for all to see in his commitment to his work at the Central Remedial Clinic and in the attention he paid to education issues. I have no doubt, knowing the work of the Central Remedial Clinic, that many people benefited significantly from his determination to improve services for people with physical disabilities. Over the years, he worked hard to improve those services and was committed to the issue for a lengthy period.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the role that Tony played in the many campaigns of the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, who has often acknowledged how Tony was a key part of his political organisation in Dublin Central and was among his closest advisers during his tenure as Taoiseach. While both Deputy Bertie Ahern and Tony had a deep and lasting friendship that was clear for all to see, I am told that Tony never fell for Bertie Ahern's love of Manchester United Football Club and remained a staunch Spurs supporter.

Tony achieved much in his life, but one cannot but feel extremely sad that he was taken from this Earth at the young age of 57 years. He bore his illness with great bravery and continued to get on with his job in the House. As we all know, he attended during times that were difficult for him. This must have been difficult for Tony and his family, but he showed considerable determination in continuing in his duties as a Senator and with his work. Senators from all sides of the House will attest to this.

I acknowledge the presence of Tony's family and friends and Deputy Cyprian Brady. I send my deepest sympathy and the sympathies of the Fine Gael Party to his wife, Noreen, his children, Jason, Jennifer and Joanne, the Fianna Fáil Party and all of his friends and supporters. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.