Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I join colleagues in saluting and paying tribute to the late Tony Kett. He was a constituent of mine, as Noreen and their family have been for a number of years. Tony and I were elected together to Dublin City Council back in 1988. It is only when one starts totting up the years that one realises how fast they pass by. We both worked on Dublin City Council and enjoyed ourselves there. We shared a learning curve together at that time. I see some of his colleague scouts here today. We had great fun because there was a lot of banter between the constituencies of Dublin Central and Dublin North-Central. Tony was simply a good and lovely man who displayed great loyalty and compassion. He went about his business in a very gentle manner. He has left behind him the record of a distinguished political career as well as his work with the Central Remedial Clinic. I see Mr. Paul Kiely and other colleagues are present from the CRC.

I greatly appreciate all the good work that stands as a testimony to Tony's service on the north side of Dublin. I extend my sympathy to Noreen, Joanne, Jennifer and Jason, as well as Tony's brothers and sisters, Deputy Cyprian Brady, former Senator Chris Wall, Deputy Dooley and other friends and colleagues. We have walked the highways and by-ways. We have had good, bright days as well as bad, dark ones, but we stood together.

In the final months of his life, I admired the courage he displayed when facing illness. I join everyone on this sad day in reflecting on the great legacy Tony has left us. My thoughts are with you.