Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Cathaoirleach and Senator O'Loughlin in paying tribute to the late Mary O'Rourke. Mary O'Rourke was humorous, witty, personable and formidable. One of my first public encounters with her was when I and the late Senator Mary Jackman - herself a highly intelligent, formidable woman - many moons ago decided to trip up Mary O'Rourke on a section of an education Bill she was putting forward here in the Seanad. We went in maybe slightly unprepared but, prepared or otherwise, we went in full of gusto. Both of us made what we thought were good contributions. However, by the time Mary O'Rourke had replied to the two of us, we left very chastened. Despite that initial encounter I developed a great rapport with her over the years afterwards. She was a lovely woman, there is no question about that. She was a trailblazer for women. She held multiple ministries. She was, as Senator O'Loughlin said, very concerned about "ordinary people": I put that in inverted commas as there is no such thing as an ordinary person. She was concerned about people and made a significant difference to so many. She had a wonderful career. Her family can be proud of her and her career. They can be inspired by her memory. Indeed she provides an inspiration to all of us on how to do public service. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

In the brief time I have left, I request again that we have a debate on the Middle East. Previously, on the very first day we came back, I urged the Leader, Senator Chambers, to have the Tánaiste come to the House at some point. I am renewing that request. I have been approached, no later than yesterday evening, by Army families. We have a lot of Army personnel up my way. I said to a few of them, "Have you somebody out there?" Even if they do not, they tell me the entirety of Army families are very exercised, upset and concerned for the people who are at risk out there. In particular, 35 of our UNIFIL personnel, in what they call a bunker and a special post, would be very close to the fighting. I would like an update from the Tánaiste on his conversations internationally on that question as to where we are at.The safety of those wonderful patriots is of great concern to all of us.

The entire Middle East situation is getting worse by the day. There is no solution other than peace and talks. Too many lives have been lost. All that Israel is achieving is a new generation of Hamas and Hezbollah, and a renewal of the whole thing. It is time we sat down at the conference table.