Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I wish to add to the tributes to the late Joe Doyle. Long before I became a politician, I knew about Joe from my late uncle, who also lived in Donnybrook and was a good friend of Joe. I have a sneaking feeling that, when the election came, that is where the vote went, but we were never told about it. Subsequently, I got to know Joe as a politician. While I did not have many conversations with him in the Seanad, he and I used to meet and have conversations in the local bank that continued out onto the footpath. Our conversations sorted out many issues of the day. Joe had his views, but we were often in total agreement on how to solve a problem.

I knew Joe as a Donnybrook person. Joe was Donnybrook and Donnybrook was Joe, something that was reflected in how everyone in Donnybrook knew him. He was a good person and a great politician. As some Senators stated, he was able to interact with all of his constituents. Seeing him at work was lovely. He was a good church person who was devoted to his Sunday mass duties.

We have lovely memories of Joe. I miss him around the place, such as in the vegetable shop. I do not see Peggy in the shop anymore, but I hope to see her there again soon. I am glad of this opportunity to pay tribute to Joe and to extend my sympathy to Peggy and all his family. He was a lovely man in my eyes. My family in Donnybrook would say the same.