Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an rún comhbhrón ar bhás Justin Keating. He was a man of presence, influence, intellectual capacity and understanding. I served with him in this House from 1975 until 1977. I saw him on many days when he walked down those stairs and sat in the seat occupied by the Minister, Deputy Dempsey. In fact, he was in this Chamber for month after month dealing with the issue of Bula and Tara Mines. Question Time lasted for weeks in those days because Ministers dealt with all questions.

Justin Keating had a power, a presence and a communications capacity that few have ever equalled in this Chamber since. Anybody going on deputations to that Minister had better be informed, because they were dealing with a scientist, with somebody who lectured in veterinary anatomy, who knew his brief and who was not prepared to hide behind the counter or the newspaper when defending his beliefs.

I saw him canvassing in the wilds of the west as a member of the national coalition for my own by-election, along with Conor Cruise O'Brien, Brendan Corish and all the other members of the Labour Party. In Belmullet or in Ballinrobe, he held farmers enthralled because they expected that somebody of the academic brilliance of a newly acquired member of the Labour Party would not understand the difficulties with which small farmers in the west had to contend. As somebody who lectured veterinary anatomy, he knew the changing face of nature, or as Deputy Higgins pointed out, the changing colours of the fields and the hedgerows. It was an election in which the party had little chance of making it, as Deputy Higgins admitted, even though it put up a great fight at the time.

Justin Keating's life and his philosophy was crystallised by Barbara when she said that he used to say, "If you show me better, then I must change". He was never afraid to change, but he always defended his deep rooted belief in his principles. It was a privilege to have known Justin Keating. I remember going on the odd delegation to the Minister for Industry and Commerce to speak about industrial expansion or whatever, and I remember him behind the desk dealing in an understanding way with people whose case might not be that clear, always pointing out a way forward.

He was the son of Seán Keating, and the Taoiseach and Deputy Gilmore outlined his history. I remember him as a person of big presence and influence, but as a person who understood the ways of human nature and who translated that into politics. It was difficult for a person of academic stature to do that in the way he did. It was a privilege to have known him and despite a difference with many of his political beliefs, it was wonderful to see him in action. He had a particular belief in the payment of royalties to the people for the nation's natural resources, which should be used for their benefit.

Here was a man who made a difference. Here was a man who stood out and was proud to make that difference. Here was a man who defended what politics was all about. We often listen to commentators today who say it should be all about legislators, and the late Justin Keating made it all about legislators. He paid the price for that, but he made no bones about standing for his duty and responsibility to put legislation through this House. It may have been to the detriment of some of his constituents, but they make their own choice in any event. He was quite fixed on his responsibility as an elected Member and as a Cabinet Minister to ensure that legislation was dealt with fully, comprehensively and thoroughly. If I recall correctly, that Bula Bill was before this House for two years, and he was in here week after week doggedly pursuing his own agenda for the Bill.

For me, "If you show me better, I must change" was the philosophy of Justin Keating. He was a person, a citizen and a politician who made a difference, and I was proud to have known him.

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