Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I acknowledge the presence of the Kenneally family and pay tribute to the late Billy. The Kenneally family has been a household name for me since I was a child growing up in Waterford. That three generations of the Kenneally family have been involved in politics since the 1940s says a lot about their commitment to the country. The late Billy Kenneally was elected to the Dáil in 1965 and the Seanad in 1981, as well as serving on Waterford County Council for many years. He was dedicated to public service all his life.

I continued to follow his progress even after I moved from Waterford to pursue my earlier, non-political, career in Dublin. He was a charming man with a great way of dealing with people. Even when he was no longer a public representative, he remained in touch. As Tip O'Neill famously stated, all politics is local. The Kenneally family had the grassroots touch for politics. It is vital that we retain our grassroots commitment to the people. One always knew a Kenneally was the local representative for Waterford. His son, Deputy Brendan Kenneally, has to fill a big pair of shoes in maintaining the proud record of his father and grandfather. It is lovely to see the entire family, including Mrs. Kenneally and her grandchildren. Waterford is at a loss without Billy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.