Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also want to welcome the Kiely family here today and all of Rory's colleagues. It is a great honour today for the Kiely family. I did not know Rory personally but my late father, who was a councillor and Tipperary man, would have known him very well. Tipperary and Limerick were always quite close when it came to elections. I know that my father was a big supporter of Rory's. I heard great things about Rory. He was a big community worker and very much involved in the work that he did in Limerick with the GAA, not to repeat what everyone has already said.

My father used to say that he was a diehard Fianna Fáil man. These are the things that always stick out in my mind. The family must feel so honoured today and proud to listen to what is being said here about Rory and the kind of man he was and his achievements. It is such an honour that one's father was Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and to hear of all of the work that he did in Fianna Fáil, his love of that party, and of his own native Limerick. It is a great honour, tribute and respect to the man. Well done to everyone. We are delighted to be here to pay those tributes to Rory's family - forgive my sore throat - to welcome Mary Cowen, and in particular, to wish Brian well. Brian is another great man, and it is great that he is back on track. We look forward to meeting him again.