Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I am honoured and privileged to speak of my memories of Willie Farrell, who died one year ago. I have the notes of my meeting with him on 4 June 2002 when he advised my husband and I on my future election campaign for Seanad Éireann. I kept the notes as a souvenir of Willie's wisdom.

Just two months before the Seanad election, I decided that I should take the plunge because there were so few women in politics. Having been elected in 1993 to our national executive by all of the Fianna Fáil Dublin women and having been re-elected to same, I felt I had a responsibility. When I heard on the airwaves about how there were not enough women in politics, I made my decision on the spur of the moment. Willie spelled out an awesome and difficult proposal for my election campaign, namely, that I would need to travel 10,000 miles over the following 25 days. I was to start at the remotest point, which was counties Cork and Kerry for me. As Senator Feeney stated, I was to look for preferences. This was a new word to me. The language was new and the strategy was daunting. How was I to win the election? I am forever indebted to my friend.

The first time I heard of Willie Farrell was from my father-in-law in the neighbouring county of Leitrim. Mr. Batt White was an agricultural instructor for that county and for a part of north County Sligo. Some of the people in the Gallery will remember my father-in-law with respect and endearment. I loved him passionately. My natural political inclination was towards the Labour Party and republican socialism.