Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

As a Deputy for Dublin South-East, perhaps not as senior as the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, I join my Taoiseach and colleagues in expressing my sorrow and extending my sincere sympathy to the FitzGerald family, to John, Mark and Mary, and to the extended family on their sad loss.

Dr. Garret FitzGerald inspired me as a young person to become involved and to take an interest in politics. His integrity, his very obvious sincerity and his unparalleled deep belief in genuine public service convinced me that politics is a noble profession. If anybody personified high standards in high places, it was Dr. Garret FitzGerald. In the not too distant past when I came under some pressure for comments I made, he took the time to approach me to say, "Lucinda, never ever waiver, always follow your convictions and always stand up for what you believe in." I will carry those words with me in political life and as long as I am a Member of this House.

Three issues marked him out, some of which have already been alluded to. In regard to Northern Ireland, Dr. FitzGerald had vision and courage which marked him out from the rest. His foresight in mainstreaming the concept of consensus and consent in Northern politics was inspired and visionary. His commitment to democracy, as espoused by the Anglo Irish Agreement, showed that he was most definitely ahead of his time. It took others many years to catch up with him. Unlike the many who did not subscribe to his view of consensus in the North, Dr. FitzGerald actually came from a family steeped in the republican tradition, as Deputy Martin pointed out. As a result of that, he knew and genuinely understood the importance of consensus rather than division in politics on this island.

For me, what really marked Dr. FitzGerald out was his commitment and devotion to the European project. It was not an unquestioning and blind commitment to the European project but one which was, nonetheless, deeply supportive of the common European cause. I remember meeting him during the Nice treaty and Lisbon treaty campaigns when despite his years, he was sprightly, energetic and enthusiastic and, most important, he brought young people with him in selling the European ideal on this island. He also brought Fine Gael into the Christian Democratic family in Europe and of that I am deeply proud.

His task of making Fine Gael the most professionally organised party on the island was a goal he fulfilled. He was much more than an academic. He knew Fine Gael, its branch structure and every corner of every consistency in an encyclopedic fashion and from which we can all learn. While Fine Gael today is very proud to have such a strong leader in Deputy Enda Kenny, we can all acknowledge that Dr. Garret FitzGerald will continue to be a spiritual leader for the party.

The FitzGerald family and the island of Ireland has lost a true and inspiring statesman, a genuine political leader and somebody who I was very proud to know and to call a friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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