Seanad report / Jimmy Walsh:Warm tributes were paid on all sides of the House to Progressive Democrat Senator Kate Walsh, who died last Tuesday.
She was remembered in particular as a woman who had battled courageously against a debilitating illness.
Describing her as "a lady", Cathaoirleach Rory Kiely said she had been the most popular member of the House and had been especially proud to have been nominated to the Seanad by the Taoiseach on the advice of the then tánaiste, Mary Harney.
She would be greatly missed from the ranks of the PDs and by the community in Celbridge, Co Kildare, a town she had served so well.
John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, said that Mrs Walsh liked nothing better than a joke and a laugh, but she was deadly serious about fulfilling her responsibilities in terms of her role in the House.
"Kate was a diabetic, a fact that she wanted to know about and about which she spoke with real authority and passion in the House.
"As the Tánaiste said, Kate was a lovely person and a true friend," Mr Dardis said.
"She was a gentle yet brave woman and her many achievements made her an inspirational figure."
Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, said it was particularly poignant that, on the eve of the dissolution of the Oireachtas, Mrs Walsh was the first member of it to die "in office".
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said she had no political enemies whatever. "There was always a chuckle and a joke whenever you met her."
Brendan Ryan (Lab) said that "warmth" was the word most commonly used in describing her.
John Minihan (PD) said she had been able to cope with the tensions and traumas of political life with a calmness and a sense of simplicity which had struck everyone who had come to know her.
A minute's silence was observed and the sitting was adjourned as a mark of respect.