Seanad Report: Tributes were paid to Irish Times journalist Dick Walsh, who died earlier this week.
Extending condolences to Mr Walsh's wife and daughters, the leader of the House, Mrs Mary O'Rourke, described him as a very eminent political writer. "He has written with great integrity for many, many years. I admire particularly how he overcame and was able to work through his great physical infirmity and still keep all his journalistic work in play. It was a remarkable feat of resilience, I always thought, whenever one met him."
Mr David Norris (Ind) said he thought it right that the House should note the passing of a very distinguished journalist who had been a friend of political life in this country. "We should be grateful to somebody who had such a clear and decent view of Irish politics, and I think we are greatly diminished by his passing."
Ms Kathleen O'Meara, (Lab) said that as a member of the National Union of Journalists, she had known Mr Walsh well in her earlier career.
"I saw in his paper this morning that he intended to lend his weight to the NUJ's campaign of opposition to the Government's proposals (in the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill)."