Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I join my colleagues in expressing sympathy to the family of the late Nuala Fennell who served in this House from 1987 to 1989. She certainly loved her years in the Seanad, although she was glad to win back her Dáil seat in 1989 in which she served until 1992. As many others have stated, she was part of the irreversible movement at the time in highlighting the status of women in Ireland and making it a political issue for the first time. She spoke about the loneliness she felt when she entered the Dáil for the first time which was almost a male club. Many female Members of the Seanad have told me that they had similar feelings when they were elected, particularly during their first few months in the House. I do not think, however, that it prevented her from doing her work, as she was an excellent politician. She listened and acted on the problems encountered.

Nuala Fennell made an outstanding contribution as a politician in increasing awareness of domestic violence and the necessity to provide shelter, through the Women's Aid movement, for battered wives and those at the receiving end of male domestic violence. As Minister of State with responsibility for women's affairs, with a budget of approximately only £50,000, she made a tremendous difference in the Department. She had no office and no blueprint, but she certainly made up for this with her enthusiasm. She was a wonderful politician. I express my sincere sympathy to her family gathered here today.