Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in sending my sympathies to John Connor’s family. I knew John Connor well and I engaged with him on many occasions. One of the abiding memories I have of him is his great skill as an orator. He could make his words come alive in this Chamber and in the Dáil. It is a skill not too many politicians have but he had in buckets and abundance. He was passionate about rural life, Roscommon and his party. He had the skill to bring the passion in an ordered way with clarity, function, purpose and thought, and bedded it into legislation. People listen to people who come with a considered view. That is the abiding memory I have of him.

Along with the Taoiseach and others, including Senator Seán Kyne, I recently visited the Bord Bia Innovator Campus in Athenry, County Galway, which is a lovely part of the world. The Minister for agriculture is due to launch a document this week related to women, agriculture and food. We need more women in agriculture and food. The Taoiseach highlighted in Athenry on Friday the significance of women entrepreneurs in food. I wish the Bord Bia Innovator Campus every success.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Rachel Brown from Ballina, Mayo, who has been elected president of the Veterinary Council of Ireland. It is a prestigious position to hold. Rachel is a practising vet from Ballina. She succeeded a previous woman, Vivienne Duggan, who was there for two years. Well done to the women being elected to the most senior positions in veterinary medicine and nursing in Ireland.