Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome Mona, Mary, John and the grandchildren of Des Hanafin, and I acknowledge the presence of Deputies Cahill and Mattie McGrath. While I did not know Des personally, I am sure I have relayed a story about him to many people in this House on many occasions. My grandfather died in the late 1970s and I was farmed out to live with my grandmother. I have yet to meet a more passionate Fianna Fáil woman, the Lord be good to her. If one was a Fianna Fáil public representative, one was the blue-eyed boy or girl in her eyes. However, human nature being what it was with her, there were also some individuals whose eyes were a little more blue than others, and I remember Des Hanafin as being one of those. I have stated on record that it was probably through those formative years of living with her that I ultimately ended up here. My passion for and interest in politics was formed by my grandmother and her beliefs, as well as her love for Des Hanafin among many others.

Without rehashing all of the kind words that have been said, one way of explaining Des and his contribution to Irish society and politics is to say that he was an extraordinary ordinary man. I extend my sympathies to the Hanafin family. I told my story about how my love for politics and my party started and so I also sympathise with the larger family that is Fianna Fáil. We also have lost one of our rocks.