Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

It is an honour to have this opportunity to pay a brief tribute to Nuala Fennell. I welcome to the Gallery her husband Brian, her son Garrett, her daughter Jackie - unfortunately, her other daughter Amanda cannot be with us today - her grandchildren Katie, Ian and Eveline, her daughter-in-law Dara and her sister Bernie.

I got to know Nuala really through her son Garrett and, indeed, her brother Michael. She had a distinguished career, as has been said and given great testimony to here by so many speakers, in the Dáil between 1981 and 1987 and again from 1989 to 1992, and in this House from 1987 to 1989. As Minister of State for women's affairs, as has been said by so many, she was a great champion of women's rights and, to quote The Irish Times, she was, "Courageous, determined and with an original mind".

I have been reminded that - from what I heard from her I believe it - she liked this House very much, both as a Member and in bringing legislation before it, particularly the Status of Children Bill 1986 in which she believed the Seanad really came into its own.

I loved the stories she told in her book about the Seanad campaign in 1987 and her journeys through fields, yards, marts, funerals, shops and so many workplaces. Of course, coming from where I come, I was particularly taken by her little yarn about not having time to linger at Ladies' View on her way to Kenmare. Hopefully, next year another visitor will have time to linger there and to go on to Dinas and Glena where Victoria enjoyed afternoon tea - I refer to Victoria's great-great-granddaughter when she comes, please God.

As has been said, Nuala was an extremely kind, nice and courteous person at all times, and yet she had a steely will. She knew what was necessary to achieve and she saw it through. Of course, she had a life outside of politics. She was a noted journalist before she entered politics and a successful public affairs consultant when she left it. She is, and will be, missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.