Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing or our former President, Patrick Hillery. My first thoughts and, indeed, my prayers today are with Mrs Hillery as she and Paddy were married for over 50 years. I know that Mrs. Hillery's great strength of character and quiet dignity, which have so long been admired by the Irish people, will serve her well in the sad days ahead. I offer my sympathy, that of the Government and the Fianna Fáil Party to Maeve, her son, Dr. John Hillery, his wife Carolyn, their children, Sarah Jane, Patrick, Michael and David and the extended Hillery family and friends.

Patrick Hillery, as a private citizen and in his public role over many years, gave outstanding and unrivalled service to the Irish State and the Irish people. Paddy Hillery defined loyalty and embodied integrity, he was clever and wise, but most of all he was a people's person, a Clare man proud of his heritage and at home with his people. Paddy Hillery loved people and people loved him. People admired his achievements and respected his sense of decorum but they loved him for his humanity and his innate decency.

On the passing of his former colleague and great friend, Jack Lynch, Paddy Hillery wrote: "Something emanated from him that made you feel good about him and good about yourself if you were near him." That same sentiment applied to Paddy Hillery. Even in the darkest of days, Paddy had a great ability to make the Irish people feel good about themselves and we were always very proud to be represented by him.

On Saturday when I learned of his passing, I said that Dr. Hillery's entire career sums up what is best about politics and public service. He set the highest of standards in the administration of public affairs and history will record the huge contribution made by Patrick Hillery, not just to the progress of Irish society but also to our democracy. Patrick Hillery was an exemplary President. He brought stability to the office when it was needed. In volatile political times he was a cool head who exercised his powers wisely and assiduously protected the independence of Ireland's highest office.

Addressing Dr. Douglas Hyde in 1938 at the inauguration of our first President, the then Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera, said: "We are glad to pay you honour as one worthy of the office to which you have been called." Seventy years on, the people of today again honour a most worthy President who carried out his duties with great dignity, skill and generosity.

Today in Dáil Éireann we pay final tribute to Paddy Hillery as one of this House's finest sons. Patrick Hillery won fame but he never lost his sense of modesty. He gained power but he never lost his respect for others. He attained the highest honour this Republic can bestow, however his dignity came not from any office he held but from the spirit of public service with which he fulfilled every position in which he served.

He was young when this country was barely born. The ideal of what Ireland could become inspired all his life and work. He was first elected to this House to represent County Clare alongside Éamon de Valera in 1951. He first served in Government under de Valera's great comrade, Seán Lemass. The young doctor whom Dev brought into politics would, as Minister, do much to bring Ireland into the modern world. As Minister for Education he brought a reforming republican ethos to his portfolio. He was committed to a radical expansion of participation at every level of education. He set about making the entitlement to a good education not the privilege of the few but the destiny of all. As Minister for Industry and Commerce and subsequently as Minister for Labour, he made strategic and far-sighted economic choices which sowed the seeds for future prosperity. As Minister for Foreign Affairs he brought Ireland on to the world stage and succeeded in internationalising what had been labelled as the Irish question but had been seen as a purely British problem.

He was always a voice for peace and sanity. With Jack Lynch he led Ireland into the European Economic Community. That historic departure was not just a question of economics, although as economics it proved to be of immeasurable importance. More than material support, Ireland regained her self-confidence as a nation on the European stage. It was important that our first Commissioner was the modest and patriotic country doctor from County Clare. By introducing the equal pay directive and the equal treatment directive, Patrick Hillery not only put the rights of women at the heart of European policy, he put Ireland at the heart of European social progress.

Now that his life is over, the State he served for so long and so well will pay its final respects. The passing of Dr. Patrick Hillery, our former colleague in Dáil Éireann, our first European Commissioner, our sixth President, is not just the end of a life or even the end of an era, it is the end of a political age. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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