Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I extend the deepest sympathy and condolences of this House and those of my Fianna Fáil colleagues to Ms Nuala Fennell's husband, Brian, their children, Jacqueline, Gareth and Amanda and her extended family and friends on the passing of a truly inspirational woman, a loyal and loving wife and mother and a dedicated champion of women's rights.

As many of her family and friends will know, Nuala was truly committed to the cause of women's rights and was a leading campaigner in this area long before becoming a prominent member of the Fine Gael Party in the 1980s. Nuala first came to prominence in 1972 as a founder member of AIM Group which was set up to look after the interests of deserted wives and established the first refuge for battered women in Dublin. Indeed, it was her commitment, compassion and determination to help those less fortunate than herself that led her to the establishment of Women's Aid in 1974. Since then, Women's Aid has grown to become the leading national organisation it is today working tirelessly on the issues of domestic violence.

Nuala Fennell was the first chair of Irish Women's Aid in 1975 and an executive member of the Irish Council for the Status of Women. Nuala contested the 1977 general election as an Independent candidate but was not elected on that occasion. It was her prominent role in the campaign for women's rights that brought her to the attention of Garret FitzGerald and the Fine Gael Party in the late 1970s and in the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979, Nuala stood as a candidate for the party in the Dublin area. She was elected to Dáil Éireann for the Dublin South constituency in 1981 and held her seat in the two elections that took place in the following 18 months.

After the November 1982 election, Nuala was appointed as a junior Minister with responsibility for women's affairs and served as Minister of State with responsibility for women's affairs and family law reform from 1982 to 1987. Nuala was a major force behind a range of reforms introduced to improve the position of women. She lost her seat in the 1987 general election but was then elected to the 18th Seanad on the Labour Panel.

In the 1989 general election, Nuala was returned to the 26th Dáil but retired from politics following the 1992 general election. Her decision to stand down from politics in 1992 was a great loss to our country and to the Fine Gael Party for which she had worked tirelessly over the years.

Nuala's remarkable achievements as a woman, both inside and outside politics, are a lasting legacy to Irish women and Irish men of today. She will be truly missed. She was a remarkable Irish woman. To her husband, Brian, and her children, Jacqueline, Garrett and Amanda, we extend our deepest sympathy. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam.