(Speaker Continuing)
[Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan: ] It is an amazing illness in terms of how it affected my friend and the late Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick. It develops in different ways. With my friend it began from the waist down and for Michael it was from his neck. For Nicky it started with her speech, which was so cruel for somebody who was active in political life and in her own social life. I acknowledge what the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, did. I took part in the fashion show on behalf of my own friend who had motor neurone disease and of course for Brother Kevin also. My memory of that event is when Nicky walked down the catwalk with the Minister at the end of the fashion show. I acknowledge her work and determination in battling the illness. Tá brón orainn toisc go bhfuair sí bás ach ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
An Ceann Comhairle: As a mark of respect we will now have a minute's silence and then suspend the sitting for 15 minutes.
Members rose.
An Ceann Comhairle: May she rest in peace.
Sitting suspended at 3.30 p.m. and resumed at 3.45 p.m. |