Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to join with other colleagues in paying tribute to the late Martin J. O'Toole, and would like to welcome the various generations of his family to the Visitors Gallery. I would also like to welcome the iar-Chathaoirleach of this House, Rory Kiely, who was a very close friend of Martin Joe, and Deputy Dara Calleary.

I did not have the privilege of serving in the Oireachtas with Martin Joe, but I heard a lot about him from my late uncle who did serve with him for many years. I had the privilege of meeting him on a number of occasions while he visited this House. As Senators Norris and Bradford alluded, he visited this House quite regularly since his retirement. I always knew when he was about, because I shared an office on the same corridor as the late, great John Carty, who just passed away a couple of weeks ago. I always knew when Martin Joe was about because the laughter that was coming from John Carty's office would indicate that he was present. He always was in good form, with a twinkle in his eye, and I was privileged to have met him on many occasions as he visited this House. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.