Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ba bhaith liom thar cheann Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Phádraig Ó Fachtna agus freisin lena pháirtí, Fianna Fáil. On behalf of the Labour Party, I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Martin in welcoming members of the Faulkner family to the House and I pay tribute to the life and career of Pádraig Faulkner who served this House with distinction from 1957 to 1987. Deputy Martin outlined the many portfolios held by former Deputy Faulkner and it is quite a remarkable list. He was Minister for Lands, the Gaeltacht, Education, Posts and Telegraphs, Tourism and Transport and Defence. This is a tribute to Pádraig Faulkner and to Fianna Fáil's enduring electoral success over this period of time. Pádraig Faulkner served in every Fianna Fáil Government from 1965 to 1980, when he assumed the role of Ceann Comhairle which he held until 1981. By the time he stepped down from the Dáil at the 1987 general election, he had served the people of Louth for a remarkable 30 years and had earned the respect of politicians from all parties and none.

Bhí grá agus suim speisialta ag Pádraig Faulkner don Ghaeilge. Tháinig sé ó na glúine de mhúinteoirí a d'oibrigh go dian ar son na Gaeilge agus ar son chultúr na nGael. Gael den scoth a bhí ann. Ag an am céanna, ní raibh dearcadh dúnta aige ina nGaelachas nó ina náisiúnachas.

I did not know Pádraig Faulkner personally but I have read his book, As I Saw It. Deputy Martin highlighted many of his achievements and contributions over a very long period of time in public life. Perhaps the contribution for which he will be best remembered was his support for Jack Lynch at the time of the arms trial, an extremely turbulent period for Fianna Fáil and the country. As a Deputy representing a Border constituency during the early years of the Troubles, it took much courage and bravery to oppose violence and support democracy. He should be remembered in particular for this contribution and support at a very critical time. His commitment to these values, his service to the Government of the country, his public service and the work for those whom he represented in his constituency are rightly recognised in the House today. I again express my sympathy to his family and Fianna Fáil. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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