Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is an honour for me to say some words of appreciation for John on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group. I wish we were not in the position to have to do this. I welcome Kathleen and the family here, and also my colleagues, Deputies Éamon Ó Cuív and Dara Calleary and former Senator Rory Kiely. It is a sad day for us, but is important that we mark John and his contribution to both Houses of the Oireachtas. He served in the Dáil as a Deputy for Mayo and here in the Seanad.

From my own perspective, like Deputy Calleary I was first elected in 2007. There are a few people in the House across parties who are extremely welcoming to new Members coming in, and John Carty was one of those people. He felt a sense of pride in the Oireachtas and he certainly guided me on my way from 2007 on. He was a very easy man to get to know and was very welcoming. He had a very dry sense of humour as well, to which I will return in a few moments.

Senator Cummins has mentioned that anyone who described John would always describe him as a gentleman. The phrase is often misused, but John really was that. Everyone had only good words to say about John Carty, regardless of what party they were in. We went through some difficult times in the first Dáil from 2007 onwards, there is no question about it. As a Senator, John had the experience and advice for some of the newer Members who were seeing the world fall around them. He was a very steady hand and was always very thoughtful about things.

I had the pleasure of meeting him in Knock along with Deputy Calleary after the last general election in 2011. We went on the Seanad tour and were shown around places in Mayo that I had not only never seen but, as a Dub, had never even heard of. I had a nice break with John when Deputy Calleary let me have an hour or two away from canvassing. We met him in Knock and went to the home pub and I enjoyed a pint with him there. He gave a great welcome, he was that type of man, and he gave of his time then to someone like myself who needed his support and advice to stay involved in politics. I have the honour of serving in the Seanad now, a place where John served himself.

Above all things, John was a proud Mayo man, very proud indeed. That always came across. In my personal experience of him, he was a friend first and foremost, and a colleague second. Although he was a very proud Fianna Fáil man, he never let party politics get in the way of friendship with people from other parties. We sorely miss him here in Leinster House. When we used to go for a cup of tea down below, we would see John at the end of the counter having a cup of tea, holding court and giving advice. That is something I certainly miss here.

He was a treasured friend and someone we will never forget. His relatives can be very proud of their husband, father and brother. He made a real contribution to the Dáil and the Seanad on behalf of the people of County Mayo. In a time of great cynicism about politics and the structures of the State, I advise those who hold these attitudes to consider the example of John Carty, a decent and honourable man who was in politics for the right reasons, namely, to represent the people of County Mayo, do his best for the people of Ireland and give of his time. I thank his family for lending him to us for that period. I will not forget the experiences that he shared with me and my colleagues. As leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad, I can attest that my colleagues and I miss him greatly. It is an honour to pay tribute to him.