Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I join with colleagues in paying tribute to the late councillor, Senator, Deputy and lord mayor, Joe Doyle and extend my sympathies to his family.

I got to know Joe through serving for a short period on the eastern region health authority and the east coast area health board with him. In the latter case sometimes we would meet in south Dublin or Wicklow and when Peggy could not collect Joe, I would give him a lift home. Colleagues have mentioned Joe's great hearty laugh and his great sense of humour. Those car journeys would be filled with laughter as Joe recalled some funny event that had taken place during the week or in the course of the meeting.

Those car journeys were also filled with stories about the wife that he loved deeply and the family he was so proud of. In that context Joe would talk about any significant event that had happened at length on the journey home. I will finish by saying that my abiding thought and appreciation of Joe will always be the very kind words and advice he gave to a young Fianna Fáil councillor who was trying to find her feet. May he rest in peace.