Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Before the Order of Business I have to announce the death of a former Member of this House, Gerard Lynch. Members will have been very saddened to hear the death over the Christmas period of Gerard, who was also a former TD and county councillor. Gerard Lynch was a proud native of Listowel and began his career in public service at a local level where he served as a councillor in the Listowel area throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. His commitment to his community was clear from the outset and it was this commitment that led him to national politics. He was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1969 as a TD for Kerry North, a role he fulfilled with distinction for two consecutive terms. He was elected to the Fourteenth Seanad on the Agricultural Panel from 1977 to 1981, bringing to this House a deep understanding of rural issues, agriculture and community development. Throughout his decades in public life, Gerard Lynch was widely recognised as a man of integrity, courtesy and respect for all who worked alongside him. His service extended beyond the political sphere. It was rooted in the kindness and humility he carried out throughout his life. The Tánaiste described him as a man of tremendous integrity, with a genuine passion for improving the lives of the people of Kerry North. Alongside his political career, Gerard also gave long and valued service to community and voluntary organisations, including many years as a director of Listowel Race Company, where he served twice as chairman. In his voluntary work, he never sought recognition and his contributions were marked by generosity, true commitment and responsibility. Beyond his public achievements, Gerard Lynch was a devoted family man and on behalf of this House, I wish to express our deepest condolences and sympathy to his wife, Margot, and his children, Mary, Geraldine, Seamus, Paddy, Catherine, Ann, Norma, Bernadette and Mags, and to his sister and his extended family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. I ask Members to stand for a minute's silence.