Tributes to Shortall and Murphy
The Ceann Comhairle joins tributes to Deputies Shortall and Catherine Murphy, praising their reforming influence and public dedication.
I join those Members who have recognised the significant announcement made by Deputies Shortall and Catherine Murphy. I acknowledge that they have had a truly reformative influence on politics in this country. I have known Róisín Shortall for many years from our days in the Eastern Health Board when she was as forceful and direct in her views on health matters as she is today. I have known Catherine Murphy for even longer. We served together on Kildare County Council, and she was outstanding in her sincerity and dedication to the people. Her dedication was to people and not to any ideology, and to ensuring the best possible public services were available. It can be said that Catherine Murphy always played the ball and not the person. I hope they have a successful period ahead and I thank them for all they have done.