Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I was saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Justin Keating on New Year's Eve. I welcome his family to the Dáil and I am pleased to have this opportunity to say a few words about a person who made a strong and meaningful contribution to the development of our country in a variety of roles.

Justin Keating passed away just a week short of his 80th birthday. His life was full of activity and achievement in a wide variety of disciplines. An obituary written about Mr. Keating made the point that he was a man who never really retired and he was certainly enthusiastic and active for the causes he espoused right up to his death.

As a young man Justin Keating studied in University College Dublin and the University of London. He became a respected academic and a gifted teacher, and in the 1950s he lectured in the UCD veterinary college. In 1960 he was appointed as a senior lecturer in Trinity College. I note from Deputy Ruairí Quinn's memoir that Mr. Keating was a voice for progressive reform in our universities in the late 1960s and inspired many people in student politics.

Justin Keating had a lifelong love of learning and the values and benefit of education were to be a consistent theme throughout his public and political careers. Much later, in the 1980s, he would serve with distinction as chairman of the National Council for Educational Awards, and he was a committed educationalist. He had a great love of learning and this especially focused on his significant interest in our natural heritage and environment.

His knowledge in this regard and his articulate nature served him well in his career as a distinguished broadcaster. Justin served as RTE's head of agricultural programmes from 1965 to 1967. This was a time when the country was experiencing significant advances in industrial policy and international investment but Ireland was still a predominantly agrarian society. He was an award-winning broadcaster who kept people informed and was at the cutting edge of debate in a changing Ireland. His passion for our natural environment infused his programmes and his whole philosophy on life.

In preparing for these tributes I had the pleasure of reading Deputy Michael D. Higgins's typically eloquent and passionate remarks at Mr. Keating's funeral. Deputy Higgins captured this aspect of Mr. Keating's life and this facet of his personality best when he stated:

His work as a broadcaster revealed a view of nature, of land and animals, that was one of wonder, and above all showed a respect for the symmetry of nature. He understood the warm intimacy of life that flowed from being close to animals. His view of nature was the very antithesis to the false rationalism of Francis Bacon who wrote "I lead to you Nature and all Her children in bondage for your use".

As a prominent broadcaster and someone with strong and sincerely held convictions about how our country could progress, Mr. Keating was never going to be one to solely offer advice from the sidelines. He took the decision to enter politics and was one of a number of prominent academics who joined the Labour Party at that time. He was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time in 1969 and served two terms in this House. He served a subsequent term in Seanad Éireann and an earlier stint in the European Parliament. He was a politician with strong ideas and definite views and he was also a man of great courtesy and integrity.

Writing about Mr. Keating in the days following his death, Senator Eoghan Harris said that he was serious about politics but "could have a royal row with you while observing the decencies of public discourse." For Justin Keating, politics was never personal and he immersed himself in the cut and thrust of politics. He debated issues to great effect and with a particular gift for oration.

It is important and only fair to say he also had an abiding respect for the views of others. He was a prominent member of Liam Cosgrave's Government and Justin Keating did his duty as a Minister at a difficult time for Ireland. He served as Minister for Industry and Commerce at a time when Ireland contended with problems provoked by the oil crisis. He was a reformer and not one to be deterred by the slings and arrows of political life. He was a strong advocate at the Cabinet table for protecting and developing our natural and national resources. He also made a significant contribution to Ireland's industrial development and expansion.

Former Taoiseach John Bruton, who served as his parliamentary secretary in that Government, said that Justin Keating's work as Minister for Industry and Commerce laid the foundation in difficult times for Ireland's subsequent modernisation through overseas investment. It must be said that Justin Keating did play his part. He rolled up his sleeves during tough times for our country and got on with his job. Despite the economic difficulties of the day, he persevered with the policies of pursuing foreign investment and free trade, which in time reaped a significant benefit to our national life. As Minister, he led numerous trade delegations and put this vital work for the country above his own political interests. In the month before the 1977 general election, he undertook a 19 day world tour promoting Irish businesses, which entailed 30,000 miles of travel. He came home and went straight into the demands of a difficult and competitive election campaign.

Beyond politics, Justin's life was no less productive and active. He was prominent in the National Union of Journalists and wrote a column in the Sunday Independent. He returned to broadcasting and remained in tune with academic and scientific developments. He farmed in his beloved Kildare and he remained immersed in culture and the arts. He was never far from the public sphere and he chaired the Crafts Council of Ireland and in later years, the Irish Humanist Association.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to our colleagues in the Labour Party, and especially to those who knew Justin best and loved him most; his wife Barbara, his children Carla, Eilis and David, his grandchildren Wendy, Danielle, Jonah, Jonathan and Seán, his great-grandchildren and all of his family. Each of you can take great pride in Justin's life, which was one of service and achievement, and was fulfilled with great energy. He was an inspiration to many, and he is fondly remembered by people throughout Ireland.

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