Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the Cosgrave family on the death of the former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave. One could not put it any better than how Senator Michael McDowell put it. He probably knew him better than most of us in the Chamber and gave a great outline of what he was like. The first time I met the late former Taoiseach was during the famous by-election of 1975. I met him afterwards on a number of occasions, particularly at spring shows and so forth, and always found him to be a humble man who was willing to share his time. I would, therefore, like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to his family, Liam Jnr. who spent many years in this Chamber, Mary and Ciarán, and the wider Cosgrave family also. His interview with Colm Murray was one of the finest heard on RTE. It made for compelling listening. Both are now gone to their eternal reward. I heard many comments throughout the country across all divides about how great an interview it was with a man who had a great brain and mind and could remember everything as if it was only yesterday.