Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to a truly extraordinary person. I knew Mary Jackman since my young days in politics. I come from County Clare and Senator Jackman represented Limerick. As I went through college and went on to become a councillor, I got to know her extremely well. She was always full of advice. She was not afraid of being critical when she felt it was necessary, which is a sign of a true person of decency and integrity. I got to know her particularly in latter years when she and her husband went to Fanore on holidays regularly.They would always stop off in Ennistimon on their trips to and from Fanore, and it was always a pleasure to meet her.

I often randomly met her on the street and she always had a kind word and was always inquiring as to how things were going. She would be critical in a positive way about Fine Gael's performance and would say it could always do better, and she was right. She was extremely proud when Fine Gael did so well in 2011 and had to do the job of rescuing the country. She was very proud that we were prepared and brave enough to make the hard decisions.

When Mary passed away, there was a huge sense of loss not just for the Fine Gael family in Limerick but throughout the entire mid-west and for the communities in Limerick and in Clare who had got to know her so well on a personal level. I pass on my deepest sympathies and fond remembrances to her family. They are very welcome here today.