Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I would like to be associated with the many tributes paid to the former Senator, the late Willie Farrell. I first met him when he came looking for a vote in the 1980s. I was a councillor at the time and he called to my house. He seemed like a nice man, someone who was charming, courteous and knew how to make his case. One could learn much from his understanding of politics. He knew it inside out. He had a political nose. He never needed to learn that skill. One either has it or one does not; it cannot be learned. There is no doubt that Willie Farrell had it in abundance. When he spoke with people, he knew whether they were going to give him a vote or what part of it. He was twigging all of the time. This was reflected in how he was elected at every election he contested. One can only get elected if one is good at one's job and knows one's politics. It is not about the book politics or the rumours here and there.

Willie went after politics. He was an ambitious man, a high achiever. This was clearly reflected in terms of his "disability". It was not a disability. He turned it around. If anything, he is an example of what one can do in life if one sets one's goals high, as he did. He scored particularly on the political scene, but he also scored on the golf course. No matter how many times he was asked to speak in the Seanad if we were short of numbers, he was always available and always made fine contributions.

I am delighted to be here today to say my few words and to acknowledge Mattie Brennan, who is a good friend of this House, and Councillor Patsy Barry, who took over the seat and is still minding it very well. That is an achievement as a result of the late Willie.

I endorse all the other tributes that were paid to the former Senator and extend my sympathy to his whole family. He will always be in my memory.