Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Teachtaí Shinn Féin ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Uí hIrighile ar bhás an dochtúra Pádraig Ó hIrighile. Déanaim an comhbhrón sin chomh maith le ceannaire Fhianna Fáil agus le baill an pháirtí sin agus le pobal Chontae an Chláir a raibh an Dóchtúir Ó hIrighile mar ionadaí tofa acu le blianta fada. On my own behalf and on behalf of Teachtaí Dála Shinn Fhéin, I extend deepest sympathy to the Hillery family on the death of Dr. Patrick Hillery. I extend sympathy also to the Leader and members of Fianna Fáil and to the people of County Clare, of whom Dr. Hillery was a public representative for many years.

It is obvious, from a review of his long life, that Patrick Hillery possessed a strong ethos of public service. It was manifest in his love for his profession as a medical doctor in his native County Clare. It was seen in his response to the call to become involved in active political life as a Teachta Dála, as a Minister, as an EEC Commissioner and, finally, as a long-serving President from 1976 to 1990.

On these occasions, and I speak of today, political differences are set aside. It is right that we reflect on the personal qualities of the deceased, as well as the service he or she has rendered in public life. I did not know the late Dr. Patrick Hillery personally but he was, by all accounts and by agreement across the political spectrum, a modest and unassuming man who used his talents and energies effectively but preferred to do so without any great fanfare. This, no doubt, made the transition very difficult for Dr. Hillery when he was asked to assume the office of President at the relatively young age of 53 but he fulfilled the role dutifully.

There has been some comment on the role played by Dr. Hillery as Minister for Foreign Affairs during the outbreak of the conflict in the Six Counties in 1969 and in the subsequent years up to the aftermath of Bloody Sunday in 1972. It is not appropriate at this time to enter into controversy on that period and the role of the Irish Government in it. Let it be said, however, that when Dr. Hillery sought to call the British Government to account before the United Nations for its disastrous role in this country, his words reflected the views of the vast majority of the Irish people and across the political spectrum. The British Government, sadly, ignored the expressed will of the Irish people, with the most tragic of consequences.

I am sure Dr. Hillery was glad to have lived to see a successful Irish peace process and a developing all-Ireland political process after decades of tragic conflict on our island. Generations, including those of Dr. Hillery and his parents whose home was burned by the Black and Tans in their time, have dreamed of lasting peace and real reconciliation. People across all political parties and none can take pride in their efforts in turning that dream of the past into today's developing reality. Thug an iar-Uachtarán Ó hIrighile seirbhís fhada do mhuintir na hÉireann. Déanaim comhbhrón arís lena bhean, Maeve, lena mhac John agus le clann Uí hIrighile uilig. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam.

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