Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I welcome the family of the late Deputy, Senator and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Joe Doyle. I welcome, in particular, his wife, Peggy; his daughter, Róisín; and his son, Michael. Our thoughts are with David in Singapore. I also welcome members of the extended families of Joe and Peggy. No doubt Joe is looking down with a wry smile at these proceedings.

Joe was an excellent parliamentarian, an outstanding public representative and a man of deep conviction, faith and integrity. He was a wonderful family man. He served his constituents as a member of Dublin City Council with real devotion and hard work for 25 years. He listened to everybody who came to see him in his clinics and worked as hard as he could on every issue brought to his attention. He was a Member of the Dáil from 1982 until 1987 and a Member of this House from 1987 to 1989 and again from 1992 until 2002. This is a record of service which is unrivalled and of which Joe's family, friends and supporters can be truly proud.

Outside political life, as Senator Cassidy said, Joe served his parish as clerk at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook for almost 30 years, a real centre of his and his family's life.

I knew Joe very well. From the first moment I met him, I found him to be an absolute gentleman. In all my dealings with him he was a complete gentleman, totally committed to Fine Gael, a man of values and conviction and very hard working and consistent. I have no doubt that his convictions and faith and the support of his family enabled him to deal with the ups and downs of political life. The constituency of Dublin South-East is volatile, one in which there have been plenty of ups and downs, but Joe survived and thrived and went on to continue to serve the people of Dublin South-East. One of the reasons he was able to do this was he was a politician who always took the long view and his vision helped him in that regard, as was evident during his time as Lord Mayor of Dublin, which honour came to him unexpectedly - I think Peggy will agree - but it was one of the honours of his life. He loved the job which he really enjoyed; he brought many people to the Mansion House and was extremely honoured to have been elected to the position. It was one of the highlights of his political career.

During his time inside and outside the Oireachtas Joe worked very hard at raising awareness of epilepsy. He was a man who embraced hard work which was very evident in his personal efforts when he went to study at night in UCD. Many Members of the House will also fondly remember his love of the horses and dogs. He certainly got great enjoyment from his pastimes and interests and was an enthusiastic member of the Oireachtas racing syndicate.

To his wife, Peggy;his children, David, Michael and Róisín; his wider circle of family and friends, many of whom join us today, I formally extend my most sincere sympathy on their great loss. I know that Joe's faith and their own will have sustained them during the past year and will sustain them into the future. It is difficult to believe he is not with us today. I thank his family for sharing him with the constituency of Dublin South-East, this and the other House and the country. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.