Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group in the Seanad and on my own behalf, I extend my sincere sympathies to the McGuinness family and to the wider Sinn Féin Party on the loss of Martin McGuinness. It is a very sad and difficult time for his wife, Bernie, and his children, Fiachra, Emmet, Fionnuala and Grainne. I hope they take some comfort today from the genuine and kind words contained in many of the tributes acknowledging the tireless work and personal commitments their father gave to the peace process on our island. For their father's work and the work of others, we in the Fianna Fáil Party are very grateful.

As has been reiterated already, Martin's death represents a sad moment in the shared history of this island. Martin was heavily involved in the IRA’s army council for many years of the Troubles. When in later years he converted to full-time politics, he brought many hardened IRA members with him to ensure the ultimate success of the peace process. History will remember Martin McGuinness as a committed peacemaker. At this time, however, we cannot forget those who lost their lives during the Troubles and their families who will also be grieving today.

I met Martin McGuinness last July in the soldiers’ gymnasium in Richmond Barracks at the unveiling of a statue to Francis Ledwidge, who was fittingly a member of the Irish Volunteers and wrote the well-known poem, “Lament for Thomas MacDonagh”. At that time, Martin spoke of his republican friends whose grandfathers had fought with the British Army at the Battle of the Somme and said there had been a national amnesia about what happened during the First World War. It is only right that we get over it.

Meeting him in person on that July day, I was struck by his warmth and kindness. During our brief chat afterwards, I got a small insight into his personality and how he won people over by his generosity of spirit and charisma. I hope Martin's work in the peace process will inspire others and all of us to follow his legacy and to continue to build on the strong foundations he laid down, as well as continuing to build strong relations between all traditions on this island. Peace on this island can never be taken for granted. We must all strive to continue his work to preserve it. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.