This morning I expected to be debating and opposing yesterday's budget but I am not going to say anything about the budget or Brexit because yesterday afternoon the sad news came through about the passing of Neill O'Neill. Instead this morning I wish to express my sympathy to the family and friends of Neill O'Neill, the managing editor of The Mayo News, who died very suddenly yesterday at the age of 36. I extend my condolences to his partner, Emma Joyce, his parents Colam and Mary, his brothers Conor and Finbarr, his sisters Aoife and Orla and, indeed, all the family that makes up The Mayo News. Senators may remember Neill from the RTE documentary on regional newspapers. Local newspapers, like The Mayo News, provide an invaluable source to communities and report the issues that are central to them in a very honest and transparent way. If one wants to know which issues really exercise people one only needs to peruse one's local paper or listen to the local radio station.

When dealing with the many problems facing rural Ireland, it is refreshing to look through the local and regional newspapers and to listen to local radio to see and hear about all the wonderful volunteers and the sporting and cultural activities that go on away from national headlines and hold communities together. Neill O'Neill epitomised all that is good about regional and local newspapers, community and community activism. He showed that through all the different groups that he was involved in, whether it was the GAA, the chamber of commerce or the many groups that serve to support rural Ireland. He understood his readers and contributors. He treated them all with respect and fairness across the board. He and his team on The Mayo News epitomised the kindness, understanding and sincerity required when reporting sensitive issues that affect people at the most vulnerable times in their lives. For that, I thank him and the team of The Mayo News and, indeed, many of the regional newspapers for such work. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.