Before I call on the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business for today it is my sad duty to inform Members of the death over the weekend of our former councillor, Deputy, Senator, colleague and friend Louis J. Belton. Born in Longford in 1943, he was educated at St. Dominic's National School, Kenagh, and later in St. Mel's College, Longford town. He was a huge sports fan and he particularly had a great interest in GAA, soccer and rugby. He took huge delight last month when his beloved Kenagh won the Longford intermediate football championship final for the first time in 40 years. He was also remembered at the weekend by Longford Rugby Club where he was a member and a former player.
Louis J. Belton was a longstanding member of Longford County Council, being elected on his first attempt in 1979 and serving there until 1999. He was a great champion of local government and of local representation. He served as a member of the general council of county councils and on many voluntary bodies in his local area. He made a huge contribution to civic society and the local community in County Longford.
Louis J. Belton was first elected to national politics in 1989 as a Member of Dáil Éireann winning a seat for Fine Gael in the 26th Dáil for the constituency of Longford-Westmeath. He was elected a Senator to this House and this Chamber in the 20th Seanad where he served until 1997 when he returned to the Dáil. He was admired and deeply regarded by his colleagues in the Fine Gael Party and by his colleagues from all sides of the House. He was an extraordinary character, a man of great integrity, of wit and of humour. He was a very caring and decent man who loved being a politician and who always saw it as a noble calling. Our thoughts today are with his family and I wish to convey my sincere sympathies to his loving partner, Anita Kelly, his sister, Maureen, his brother-in-law, Val, his godmother, Peggy, his nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, cousins and his many good friends. He was sadly predeceased by his brothers, Liam and Paddy. The Belton name is synonymous with service in national politics and local politics. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.