Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a sad occasion when we are talking about John but I specifically thank Ms Kathleen Carty for her hospitality and empathy when we went to visit her on John's death. I will never forget her kindness and warmth to me. The nicest thing I can say about John is that he was never too busy to stand and speak to a person. In this quite fractious environment, people can be edgy and under pressure. He would always stand and speak. That is why he was so successful as a politician and as owner, along with Mrs Carty, of the beautiful hotel in Knock. I remember his lovely face and his gentleness. I talk about him as a patriot and a public servant who we can look up to and admire. I remember his kindness as a human being and the time he took to talk to people on a one-to-one basis when the need arose.