Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to be associated with the comments in respect of the late Des Hanafin. I welcome his family: his wife, Mona; the former Minister, Mary; and the former Senator, John. As a fellow Munsterman from north Tipp, I acknowledge that Des Hanafin was a political institution. Whether people agreed or disagreed with him, he was a man of conviction. That is really the hallmark of a good politician. The fact that he served for 30 years in Seanad Éireann is testament to his staying power and his popularity across the spectrum. He was liked by all, whether people agreed or disagreed with his views. He was very involved in Thurles and north Tipperary. As a Munsterman, as someone who admired his way of holding to his convictions, regardless of whether people agreed or disagreed, and as someone who would have known him through his family, I want to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to the late Des Hanafin and in welcoming his family to Seanad Éireann.