Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the beginning of the sitting, I was remiss in not paying tribute to a former colleague and Member of the House who passed away last week. I refer to our colleague and friend, former Senator Pat Magner. I had the pleasure of knowing Pat as a very collegial and great friend. He served in this House on three occasions - having been nominated three times - from 1981 to 1982, 1983 to 1987 and 1993 to 1997. Pat Magner was not just a Member of the House, he was also a loyal and dedicated public servant who gave more than 60 years to the Labour Party as its organiser in chief, if I can use that term. He was a Cork man who I had the pleasure of knowing and spending many a happy time with in the Dáil bar and in other establishments.To his wife Anne and their eight children, his brother Noel, his sister Pauline, and his grandchildren, I offer my deepest sympathies. I offer our sympathies to the Labour Party on the death of their colleague and friend. Pat Magner was one of the nicest people you could meet. He was a genuine, warm man and a great person. May he rest in peace.