Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Kathleen and her family and all the friends of the former Senator and Deputy, John Carty. It is a sad occasion but also a happy one because it gives us the opportunity to reflect on a life well lived, which is such a stock phrase, but also on a parliamentarian who made a genuine and profound impact on all those who met him and knew him.

John was entering Dáil Éireann as I was leaving it, on an involuntary basis, in 2002 but five years later we both served in this House. Like many of the people who went from Dáil to the Seanad, who were promoted to the Upper House, he came to enjoy the Chamber of Seanad Éireann but also to use it effectively to present a different view of the world and to present a strong view of rural Ireland and rural life, its problems, opportunities and hopes. He made a profound parliamentary impact in Seanad Éireann. I did not serve in the Dáil with him but I served on the Oireachtas agriculture committee and in the Seanad. He made a significant contribution.

Of my memories of him, the foremost is of his decency. It has been said by so many that he was a smiling and happy face. Politics is full of stress and strife and, sadly it must be said, nastiness. It was so refreshing to come across, as Senator Mary White said, someone who has time to stop and chat. John Carty was one of those people.

As we reflect on his life, it should cause us to reflect on politics itself. John's political life was not dominated by Twitter, Facebook, social media or press releases. That seems to be the new politics but we should ask ourselves about the lasting impact and what impact will bring people to the galleries to sit in honour of a public representative. These are qualities like decency, engagement and a gentle way of doing business. John Carty ticked all those boxes and left us a strong legacy of public service to Mayo and the Oireachtas. He will be long and fondly remembered by those came in contact with him.