Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On my behalf and on behalf of the Sinn Féin Members of the Dáil and Seanad I extend deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Justin Keating. I also extend sympathy to the Labour Party, of which he was a leading member and for which he served as Minister for Industry and Commerce between 1973 and 1977. In that role, he set out terms for oil and gas exploration off our coasts that were far more favourable for the Irish people than the sell-outs which occurred subsequently and the negative consequences of which still reverberate.

During the Oireachtas hearings on the Barron report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974, Justin Keating spoke frankly of the role of the then coalition Government and supported the call for a judicial inquiry. It is correct that we should also recall at this time the recent passing of Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the author of that report.

When his book The God Squad was published in 1988, abuse survivor and author Paddy Doyle praised Justin Keating as the only politician who wrote and spoke about child abuse. I never had the privilege to meet Justin Keating, who was a Deputy from a previous era. However, his reputation and legacy have carried on. He was independent minded and challenged preconceived ideas. Justin Keating was widely recognised as a man of keen intellect and sincere commitment to public service. Déanaim comhbhrón dá chlann agus dá chairde go léir.

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