Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a nochtadh le clann Ghearóid Mhic Gearailt, le Pairtí Fhine Gael agus go háirithe leis an Taoiseach. Bhí ról mór ag an Uasal Mac Gearailt sa saol polaitíochta agus bhí sé dícheallach sa tseirbhís phoiblí le blianta fada. Nuair a chuala mé, go luath ar maidin inniu, go raibh sé tar éis bás a fháil bhí mé an-bhrónach.

On behalf of Sinn Féin, I wish to extend sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. Garret FitzGerald. I extend sympathy especially to the Taoiseach and to the Fine Gael Party. As a Taoiseach, Cabinet Minister and long-serving Teachta Dála, Dr. Garret FitzGerald played a very significant role in Irish politics in the 1970s and 1980s.

Obviously, Sinn Féin profoundly disagreed with him on key and fundamental issues, particularly around the issue of partition, the role of the British Government in Ireland, political censorship and the treatment of republican prisoners. However, these differences are widely known and there is no need to dwell on them this morning. His views were genuinely held and he liked a good debate.

We did agree on other issues, especially on social matters and Garret played a very positive role in seeking to set aside deeply conservative social legislation in this State, such as the denial of the right to divorce. He was clearly and deeply committed to public life, public service and citizenship, something which is widely recognised across the political spectrum and is to be commended. He set a great example of the role older people can play in public affairs and how we should respect and uphold their right to do so and shape our society so we cherish and actively promote the rights of our senior citizens. I believe Dr. Garret FitzGerald would be pleased with that.

The death of a public figure is always greeted with public comments and reflections but the real loss is private and personal. To the Taoiseach and to Garret's friends and colleagues in Fine Gael I extend our commiserations and solidarity, and also to his family because aside from the public man there is the private person, the husband, father, the daideo, the gar-dhaideo, the very personal figure that all of have in our personal lives. Especially to his friends, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his sons and daughter I extend our warmest and kindest solidarity, commiserations and condolences. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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