Paying tribute to Senator Jimmy Harte

Paying tribute to Senator Jimmy Harte

Order of Busines, Seanad Eireann, 23rd September 2015 

I join with my Labour Party and Seanad Eireann colleagues in expressing tribute to Senator Jimmy Harte on the announcement of his resignation. On behalf of my Labour Party colleagues, I echo the warm sentiments expressed about Jimmy by the Leader and Senator O'Brien. Jimmy is well-known and well-loved by all of us. He has had a long and distinguished political career. He was first elected to the council in Letterkenny in 1994 and since then has been very much a leading light in his community in Letterkenny. He is a keen sportsman and all of us are very well aware of that. He ran many marathons. He was chairman at one time of Finn Harps Football Club and has played a range of different sports.

As a Seanad colleague, Jimmy was an exemplary colleague and a true gentleman. I think all of us, on both sides of the House, were extremely shocked at his accident two years ago. We have been following his progress since then with keen interest. All of us wish him and his family, his wife, Mary, and their four children, the very best for his continued good health and full recovery and wish them the very best into the future.