The death of Maeve Spring is not just a loss for her beloved children, James and Mary, her family and friends in Kerry, but a loss to the Labour Party, particularly in her native Kerry, of one of its most outstanding public representatives.

I first met Maeve, together with her mother Anna Spring, through the Labour Party’s then National Women’s Council. Maeve went on to become a Town Councillor in Tralee a Kerry County Councillor and Mayor of Tralee as well as serving as the Chief of Staff for Dick Spring’s Constituency office.

She was renowned for her character, her intelligence, her honesty and her integrity.

At a time when the number of women in public life is still quite low, Maeve stood out as a strong, compassionate politician who cared about people and who cared about communities.

She was an expert on Social Welfare and indeed on many different aspects of Local Government. She had a strong sense of community and a strong vision of the practical things that needed to be done to make communities a better place.

I want to offer my condolences on her early death Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam