Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Hanafin family to the Seanad today. I am sure they have been here on many occasions. I welcome Des's wife, Mona, his children, Mary and John, his grandchildren, MaryClaire, Darragh and John Jnr. as well as Deputy Cahill to the Seanad.

We know that the late Des Hanafin gave 30 years of public service to this country. Like many of us, he followed on a tradition started by his father. Des's children held him in such high regard that they also followed on in his footsteps.

Des was born in Thurles, County Tipperary in 1930 and he married Mona Brady in Clonmel in 1958. He had two children who are present today - Mary Hanafin who is a former Minister and John Hanafin who is a former Senator.

Des was elected to North Tipperary County Council in 1955. He held the position of chairman of the county council in 1956. He was subsequently elected to Seanad Éireann in 1969 and held that position until 1992 when he lost by just one vote. Such a loss is very hard to take but ensures one works that bit harder for the next election. Des worked so hard that he was again elected to the Seanad in 1997.

Des held very senior positions within the Fianna Fáil organisation during that period and ensured the party enjoyed serious success nationally.For this, we are all very grateful. I learned from talking to Mary that one of her father's proudest moments was in February 2000, when she was a Minister taking legislation this House. Her father, Des, was Senator at the time and other Senators commented and remarked that the father of the House, Des, was also the father of the Minister. It was a lovely moment that Mary and her father were able to share. I spoke to other former Senators today, including Olga Bennett, who have very warm memories of Des Hanafin. Olga said she would like me to note them for the record.

We know Des was also a much loved grandfather. The Hanafin family has made a huge contribution to public life in Ireland, which I do not believe will be stopping.

I am sharing time with Mary Hanafin's former constituency colleague, Senator Horkan.