John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the spokesperson on sport for my party I would like to ask the House to unite in an expression of sympathy with the sudden and sad passing of Anthony Foley, the Shannon, Munster and Ireland hero for many years. It was particularly poignant that he passed away when he was involved in the preparation of his beloved Munster for their first round of the Champions Cup. The sympathy of the nation is with his wife Olive, his sons Tony and Dan and his parents. His father Brendan was also on that famous Munster team that beat the All Blacks many years ago.

Anthony personified everything that was good about sport at the highest level. He showed commitment, passion and loyalty to his teams, his country and his family. At a time when sport, particularly professional sport, is in the headlines for a lot of the wrong reasons, it is important that we acknowledge someone who has been a true hero and a role model for young people. I did not know Anthony Foley personally but the heartfelt tributes that are paid to him and his family, by his playing colleagues and by his coaches, not just in Ireland but internationally, says a lot about the man. It is important that we acknowledge heroic characters who have chosen their skill sets to personify what is good about life in Ireland.