Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is with great sadness that I speak about the late Mr. Liam Cosgrave. I have listened to many others speak before me outlining some of his many great achievements, but, to use some of his own words in a different forum, "the facts speak for themselves." He was a man who got things done without any self-interest. He represented the people of Dún Laoghaire from 1943 to 1981 with great pride and diligence.

In some parts of the constituency, he is still mentioned with great warmth and humility, and often when I knock on the door in particular parts of the constituency, people refer to me as being part of the Cosgrave party.

As a man who was one of the people and a calm voice in turbulent times, his public life was one of service and he believed deeply in democracy. He was consistently opposed to the use of violence. Liam Cosgrave was a courageous voice against terrorism and he protected the State in a time of crisis.

He was held in high esteem in my family home and my father, Councillor John Bailey, always told us great stories about him. This morning he reminded me of a story that I heard growing up as a child. My grandfather used to work in Dún Laoghaire train station and my grandfather would attend with him at his job at 6.30 a.m. every day before he attended primary school. On occasion Mr. Cosgrave would arrive impeccably dressed at 6.30 a.m., with a bowler hat in place, and he would meet the people of Dún Laoghaire on their way to work or wherever it was they were going. He met them with honesty and humility and had the ability to listen, no matter what their query or comment. It may even be that he would just say hello to them. On occasion my father would take advantage by making him a cup of tea and a bit of toast because that would give him five minutes to have his ear and to listen to him also. On occasion it would make him late for school but that is a different story for a different day.

I listened to many commentators on the radio this morning and all spoke of him with great admiration and pride. He set a high bar in political life and his loyalty is something we should all strive to emulate. As someone who spent much of my youth growing up on the sideline of a GAA pitch - I am sure there are many of us here - I was aware that he was a great supporter of all sports. Deputy Sean Barrett spoke about his interest in horseracing. My father said that he was also a great supporter of the GAA, mainly hurling, and I believe this was the first year he missed an All-Ireland final since 1930. I am sure, however, that he was delighted by the results of both teams and celebrated in his own way.

My thoughts today are with his family, Mary, Liam, who we all know, and Ciarán, at this difficulty time. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

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