Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Sinn Féin Members and our party, I extend our deepest sympathy to Tony's family and friends. His loss will be felt especially by the people of Dublin Central for whom he was a diligent and dedicated elected representative over many years. As a former French and history teacher, Tony had among his pupils my colleague, Deputy Ó Snodaigh. Perhaps the Deputy is a product of Tony's years as an educator.

Tony Gregory won widespread respect for his work on behalf of the people of his native city. He was committed to social and economic justice and took a stand with the marginalised and oppressed in Ireland and worldwide. He was a believer in Irish unity, national sovereignty and positive neutrality. He gave his support to many progressive campaigns over his years of political activism. He was proud to belong to the socialist and republican tradition and repeatedly expressed his admiration for the late Séamus Costello.

Before the commencement of expressions of sympathy this morning, I was thinking that Tony might well be looking down with a wry smile at his family and friends as they, for a period, had the British ambassador and his colleague hemmed in in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Tony would certainly have thought that was apt and appropriate. He viewed with disdain corruption and privilege in Irish life, some of which during his time regrettably reached into this Chamber and the Cabinet.

Tony saw at first hand how the drugs trade ravaged his community, a community like so many others abandoned by the powerful and left prey to the drug barons who took so many young lives. He campaigned fearlessly against those drug barons and for the drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities that all too sadly are still not in place. As a sitting Deputy, Tony demonstrated a mettle on many occasions in this Chamber and outside it. One of those instances was his willingness to face imprisonment along with his close friend Councillor Christy Burke in support of the Moore Street traders.

As has already been mentioned, Tony played a key role in helping to put together the Technical Group in the 29th Dáil, providing a platform for the smaller parties, Sinn Féin and the Green Party, and the body of Independent Deputies elected to that Dáil. His voting and speaking record throughout all his years in the Dáil was consistently progressive and his passing is a significant loss to Irish politics. Fear dílis a bhí ann — dílis dá phobal, dá cheantar dúchais agus dá theanga dúchais. Bhí sé i measc na Teachtaí a labhrann go rialta trí mheán na Gaeilge sa Teach seo agus sna meáin cumarsáide.

I again extend the sympathy of the Sinn Féin Party to his partner Annette, brother Noel, his extended family, his many close friends and political associates in Dublin Central, and last but not least Valerie, his very loyal and hard-working parliamentary assistant here. Suaimhneas síoraí go raibh aige. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl dá chlann agus dá chairde go léir.

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