Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with your remarks, a Chathaoirligh, about Senator Martin McAleese and those of the Leader, Senator Maurice Cummins. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I express our disappointment at losing a very good colleague in Senator Martin McAleese whom I first met when he came into the Seanad and who is a man of the highest integrity, a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. I hope the work he did that will come to fruition today in the investigation into the Magdalen laundries and the terrible blot on the State for many years will bring finality and justice to the ladies who were so badly treated by the State and successive Governments.

Martin's track record in terms of his assistance to former President Mary McAleese but also the work he did in building bridges and reaching out, in particular to the Unionist community, particularly the loyalist community which increasingly feels marginalised, even within the North, is fantastic. One of the highlights of my term in the Seanad so far was the day on which the Orange Order representatives came here and the open and frank discussion we had with them. I know that Martin worked closely with both the Cathaoirleach and the Leader of the House to ensure that happened.

We in Fianna Fáil wish Martin the very best, but I am sure it is not the last we will see of him, as I am aware he does fantastic work in Dublin City University, as well in his role as chancellor. Earlier today I could hear a stampede from afar of failed Fine Gael election candidates and councillors looking to lobby the Taoiseach to fill the vacancy, but that is for another day.