Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I was informed earlier this morning of the death of a former colleague and friend, Dr. Garret FitzGerald. As Taoiseach and as leader of the Fine Gael Party, I extend our sympathy to his children John, Mark and Mary and to his extended family.

Dr. Garret FitzGerald was a truly remarkable man who made a truly remarkable contribution to Ireland. As Taoiseach, Minister and leader of Fine Gael, he made an unparalleled contribution to public life in Ireland. His towering intellect, his enthusiasm for life and his optimism for politics will be missed by everybody, but particularly by those people in the Fine Gael Party.

Garret was a true patriot; an icon of decency and high honour in public life whose fluency in economics was balanced by the humility, the generosity and the warmth of his personal and family life. A leading academic, Dr. Garret FitzGerald turned his back on private wealth to have not just a career, but a lifetime commitment to public life and to politics here.

His commitment to achieving peace and reconciliation on this island, and between Ireland and Britain, reached its fruition this very week with the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland. I know he had hoped to be present in Dublin Castle yesterday evening, but his illness prevented him from being there. He had a deep understanding of Ireland's capacity to influence international affairs through co-operation and partnership. He was particularly and passionately committed to developing his country's role in the European Union, of which he was an avowed supporter over very many years. His contribution, through his column in The Irish Times for more than 50 years, speaks for itself in respect of the spectrum, the breadth and the quality of the analysis of Irish current affairs.

If there is any consolation, it is that his leave taking was as gentle as his life and the way he lived it. I knew Garret since the mid 1960s as a young lad myself. Speaking from this seat as Taoiseach, he set out his stall for his vision of the equality of recognition of communities here. I know Members will join me in expressing our sympathy and the sympathy of the House to his family, Mark, Mary and John, their children and his grandchildren, and their extended family, on the passing of a truly remarkable man.

A Cheann Comhairle, the House will have an opportunity subsequent to the funeral to make more formal statements. Thank you.

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