Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Labour Party, I join the Taoiseach in expressing our sympathy to the family of the late Ted Nealon.

Ted, as the Taoiseach indicated, was first elected as Fine Gael Deputy for Sligo-Leitrim in 1981. He was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture in the Fine Gael-Labour Government of 1981-82, and went on to serve as Minister of State with responsibility for Arts and Culture in 1983 - a period that will be very well remembered - and Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

Ted Nealon carved that rare path from prominent current affairs journalist and broadcaster to Minister of State. His journey on that route was marked by excellence in journalism and service - and love as the Taoiseach has said - as Deputy for his native Sligo-Leitrim constituency.

Ted spoke with an authoritative voice, and was convincing and knowledgeable about public affairs and about the business of politics. His success in journalism saw him presented with a Jacob’s Award, which was bestowed on those who had given an outstanding contribution to Irish television. He received the award for his anchoring of RTE’s coverage of the 1973 general election, a ground-breaking time in Irish politics. He was a pioneer of broadcasting in Ireland, and brought that deep understanding of political and social affairs to politics and service not only of his native county and constituency, but also of the country.

As the Taoiseach has said, he was editor and founder of what was knowns as Nealon’s Guideto the Dáil and Seanad. It was one of the most important works in introducing the innate love most Irish people have of the political systems here and giving us the factsheet to work on. Since its first outing in 1973, the guide has become the repository of each and every statistic from each general election, and an indispensable guide for all practitioners, professional journalists, working politicians and anybody with an interest in public affairs. As the Taoiseach has said, it is a poignant and sad coincidence to lose Ted Nealon and Brian Farrell in the same time period.

As Minister of State in the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for arts and culture Ted brought his trademark energy and creativity to the role, as he did in his capacity as Minister of State in what was then the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. His success in politics can be glimpsed through the simple statistic that he was re-elected at every general election from 1981 to 1997, securing and keeping the trust of the people of Sligo and Leitrim.

On behalf of the Labour Party, I thank Ted Nealon for his contribution to journalism, to politics and to his country. I express my condolences to his wife Jo; his son, Fergal; his daughter, Louise, and all his extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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