John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement regarding the national broadband plan. I can imagine the scenario here today if, instead of giving it the go ahead, the Government had announced yesterday that it was to be pulled. Senator Conway-Walsh mentioned the Minister for Rural and Community Development, who is well able to defend himself. I recall that the Senator was keen to claim some credit recently for the €27 million investment in a new swimming pool complex at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. It is all fair territory.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Eugene McGee, the Offaly football manager who dethroned the Kerry team seeking the five in a row. He was a brilliant businessman, newspaper editor, family man and community activist. Although we were bitter rivals when we played football at university, I got to know him over the years. I have no idea about his politics but he epitomised everything that was good about rural life and the GAA. He contributed hugely to his community, to counties Offaly and Longford, and to his country. I send my deepest sympathies to his wife, Marian, and family. His passing so suddenly after his son's wedding made his loss doubly traumatic. He will be sadly missed.