Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group I also wish to be associated with the acknowledgement of the great life of Vicky Phelan. I am cognisant of the fact that it was Vicky's wish that on her death she would not receive tributes from politicians but that we would instead take actions. I hope that we can continue to take the necessary actions to right the wrongs that caused Vicky to come to notoriety initially. Other than her own campaign for and with the cervical cancer issue she was an inspiration to people in general, irrespective of what their personal problems may have been at any time. We saw somebody who was terminally ill dealing with a cause in such a manner always with a smile on her face and always so respectful. She could have had so much grievance with the system yet tried to reach solutions amicably. Her rejection of the confidentiality clause in her court case was a statement that she could come out and advocate for what she felt so strongly about. I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group to extend our sincerest and deepest sympathies to her husband, Jim, and her children Amelia and Darragh.

I would also like to include sympathies to the family of Dr. Éamon Phoenix, the historian who has passed away.He was a very valued member of the Government's expert advisory group on the centenary commemorations and played a major role in that. We are also sorry to hear today of his passing. I again extend our sympathies to his wife, Alice, and daughter, Mary-Alice.

I am a member of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which recently produced what I call, and I know self-praise is no praise, a very good report on the issues impacting on dog welfare in Ireland. This report has been previously mentioned in the House by Senator Boylan, who is also a member of that committee. Indeed, I am the first to admit that Senator Boylan championed much of the work we did for that report. I plead with the Leader to try, if she can, to get that report onto the agenda for discussion in this House as soon as possible.