Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)

I welcome Anne and the extended family. I know Tracy worked with and looked after Billy so well down through the years. It is good see former Senator Ian Marshall again. I also welcome the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

I had the pleasure of serving here with Billy from 2016 to 2020. We had an old family connection in that my father served in the Licensed Vintners Association with Billy. They were very good friends down through the years. When I first started here, at the same time as Billy, he said to me, "You are a daughter of Bobby's. We have to look after you". He was so welcoming and so kind. He was always so courteous and cordial to everybody. It did not matter whether he did or did not agree with you. Billy loved to have the conversation and to have that balanced chat.

I spent a number of years staying in Buswells Hotel and before that in the Mont Clare. Billy stayed there as well, so we often hit reception at the same time, maybe in the evening, and Billy would say we would have to have nightcap and a chat. We continued the conversation about whatever happened here during the day, but also about other things. I have to say that his renditions and his stories about life in Ireland and also life in America were absolutely wonderful. As Senator Paul Daly said, he was a fantastic man to listen to and to learn from. He really was.

I remember, when he was appointed by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny, he said to me, "Well, you know I was Fine Gael but I am kind of independent now, but sure we will see how it goes." I thought that was a great start. Confidence and supply was going on at the time and there were one or two times when I think the people sitting to my left may have been voting against the Government. Gabrielle McFadden was the then Government Chief Whip and she had to ask Billy could he ever go missing for a little while. Once or twice he did so discreetly; Members might not have noticed but he did.