David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is a sad privilege for me to pay tribute on behalf of the Independents to the late Jimmy Mulroy. I join my colleagues in extending a warm welcome to his wife, sister, children and grandchildren. I had the pleasure of speaking to them in the anteroom. I did not actually know who they were but when I realised it I went over and talked to them. The spirit of Jimmy Mulroy will still be around as long as that family exists. They have his spirit.

Jimmy was a thoroughly decent and honourable man. This is an important note to strike at a time when so many of our institutions — political, cultural and religious — are in question. We need decent people in politics.

Jimmy was a thoroughly decent man, wonderfully affable and enjoyed a joke. He loved a laugh and would have rather enjoyed banter over "our day will come" and "tiocfaidh ár Lá" which we will probably hear from Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

His family reminded me of a bit of banter between us and across the floor about the relationship between W.B. Yeats and Maud Gonne and what would have happened had they married. We wondered whether their children would inherit the looks of one and the brains of the other and what combination would be appropriate. I remember the extremely funny exchange and that was the enjoyable part. Jimmy was able to show that one could enjoy a joke and life could be fun even when it was serious. There was no more serious person than him yet he contributed so wonderfully in business, sport and politics. That is a very considerable range in which to contribute to one's country.

I always thought of him as an entrepreneur because he was always bright-eyed and bushy tailed, he caught on to ideas and was always in motion. I hope that it is not inappropriate for me to say so but there is another connection between the late Senator and then Deputy, Nicky McFadden, who was also a much loved Member of the House. A parallel can be drawn between her and Jimmy because both of them were attacked by very insidious illnesses. People think that politicians are immune to the frailty of humanity but they are not. I cannot think of anything more cruel for Jimmy to suffer than Alzheimer's disease because he was always so alert, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. To think of him being confused is a sad thought but he had a wonderful family to cherish and comfort him in that situation.

We exchanged Christmas cards right up until the time of his death. He was one of the people with whom I kept in contact. It cannot be more than a couple of years ago but I am pretty old because, as Senator Mooney has said, I entered the Seanad at the same time as Jimmy. That seems like yesterday even though it is the best part of 30 years ago. However, some years ago I met him in the car park and discovered that he had not changed and was exactly the same. I am glad that is my memory of him.

Of course he was very proud to have been Mayor of Drogheda. I am sure that is one of his achievements that he really appreciated. Politics is a tough game and to lose by four or five votes is really awful. However, he picked himself up and went on with his life which is a tribute to him.

It is pleasant and gratifying to see his family here in the company of his fellow Louth man, Deputy Seamus Kirk. Jimmy will be missed by none more than his family. I am sure that they have genuine mixed emotions. There must be pride to hear his colleagues speak of him in this fashion and there must also be sadness that he has left us but that is the fate of all of us.