Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in paying tribute to the former Senator and county councillor, Tom Fitzgerald, and welcoming his wife, Bridie, his sons and daughter, and our colleague from the Lower House, Deputy Calleary, to the Gallery. I first met Tom while I was actively involved in Ógra Fianna Fáil. He regularly attended our conferences and, like Deputy Coghlan, I was marooned with him on many occasions. I always enjoyed his stories about rural Ireland and his maritime activities, which he told with a twinkle in his eye. He was a loyal friend to Charlie Haughey and the more people attacked Charlie, the more Tom took pride in defending him. Tom was also a film censor, a job he greatly enjoyed. This role came about as a result of his active involvement in the filming of "Ryan's Daughter" in Dingle. I offer my sympathies to his wife, family and everybody else who knew him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.