I want to add my voice to the kind, well-chosen and generous words that the Leas-Chathaoirleach spoke about the late Máirín Quill. The Leas-Chathaoirleach outlined Máirín's history of work, her commitment to her community and her devotion to her city and to national politics. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach said, she was, along with myself and others, a founder member of the Progressive Democrats.

What I want to say about Máirín and her late sister Ita is that you could not meet two nicer people, either inside or outside of politics. Máirín was kind, gentle, brilliantly well read and sophisticated. At the same time, she cared passionately about those people in her community and her constituency who needed assistance, particularly through education, the arts and the like. She came to Dublin as a TD. She graced these Houses with her kindness, her dignity and her wonderful personality for many years. Later, she became a Member of this House

Politics is a rough game sometimes but you could not meet somebody more gentle and more sweet-natured than Máirín Quill. She was predeceased by her sister, Ita, and they were inseparable. They lived on Wellington Road in Cork. Senator Boyhan and I visited them recently. To say she was a matriarch would be an unfair description of her; she was a loving, kind, decent colleague who thought the best of everybody and did the best for everyone. I want to take this opportunity to endorse everything the Leas-Chathaoirleach said about her contribution to national life. As probably one of the few people in this House who served with her for so long as a Member of the Oireachtas, I want to say how deeply I miss her as a friend but also how appreciative Ireland should be for a woman of her calibre, drive and intelligence and also her commitment and bravery.

I want to acknowledge the presence of the Castletown House protection group. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House today.