Tributes were paid in the Dáil yesterday to a senior Leinster House usher, Mr Des Edwards, who has retired after 29 years' service.
The Minister for Finance, Mr Cowen, said Mr Edwards had served with distinction and described him as "one of the fittest people around here. He cycled in and out practically every day hail, rain or snow."
To much laughter, Mr Cowen said: "He is a keen theatre buff but no stranger to outrageous characters, extraordinary plots, unbelievable egos and the odd Greek tragedy, which served him well when working in this place." A son and daughter of the retiring usher also work in Leinster House - "a dynasty in the making", Mr Cowen said.
Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny said Mr Edwards and two colleagues Mr Paddy Behan and Mr Frank Lane, who retired before Christmas, between them "gave more than a century of courteous, dedicated, efficient and commonsense service". Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte said Mr Edwards' courtesy "has been unfailing".