Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Anybody who met Charles Haughey knew that he had an ability to get straight to where he felt their feelings and aspirations lay. He earned respect by using considerable charm, as has been referred to by Deputy Kenny, in confronting the Iron Lady, the British Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher. At a time when Ireland needed strong nationalist leadership, he provided an important role which was a catalyst for the considerable progress that has been made towards peace on this island — I hope for all time.

That being said, his death should also be a catalyst for examining where rules need to be put in place for planning and land rezoning and bringing together that huge divide in Irish society between those who have property and those who do not. The Kenny report of 1973 should be the catalyst to bring us forward and leave behind what was a murky past. Charles Haughey was identified with that past, although unfairly in many ways. He undertook the art of the possible but the rules should be re-examined. Those rules are still in place, even though Charles Haughey has left us.

Tá mé cinnte go raibh go leor againn, mé féin ach go háirithe, d'aon ghuth le Cathal Ó hEochaidh agus muid ag plé chúrsaí na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus, go mórmhór, Corca Dhuibhne. Is cinnte gur thug sé an-chlú agus cáil ar an cheantar sin, anuas ar an chlú agus cáil a bhí air cheana féin. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil go leor i measc na ndaoine a thug tacaíocht dó inár ndáilcheantar i dtuaisceart Átha Cliath agus, go deimhin, i gCorca Dhuibhne, den tuairim nach mbeidh a leithéid ann aríst go deo, agus tá an ceart acu. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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