Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Pháirtí Fhianna Fáil, déanaim comhbhrón le muintir Séamus Pattison faoina bhás. Polaiteoir den scoth ab ea é. D'oibrigh sé go dian dícheallach le fada an lae. Fear macánta, cneasta ab ea é chomh maith. I extend genuine sympathies on my behalf and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party to the family of Séamus Pattison, including his brothers Joseph, Michael and Monsignor Francis Pattison, and his other relatives, on the loss of such an esteemed family member and colleague. As eloquently articulated by the leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Howlin, Séamus Pattison was, without question, an exceptional politician with an extensive career in local government and national and European politics. In many respects, he was regarded as a father of the Dáil for many years, mentoring many younger Deputies who were on the way up. Perhaps he could have mentored a few more from time to time. My fellow party leaders will understand what I mean by that.

He was a man who understood public service and was generous in offering advice and support. On his passing, we should perhaps reflect on his time in the House. When blood pressures rose in the Dáil and people became angry or there were the usual outbursts, he was unflappable, in particular during his time as Ceann Comhairle. He had an innate understanding that that is what people do in the House from time to time and he would chair proceedings with his normal, calm demeanour and wider sense of perspective, understanding the big picture.

Séamus Pattison served the people of Carlow-Kilkenny for over 46 years in different capacities, which is an extraordinary length of service. He espoused the values of the Labour Party in a very distinguished way and, in particular, as Minister of State for Social Protection from 1983 to 1987. I remember how pleased he was when he introduced the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to the Oireachtas in November 1998 after the Good Friday Agreement was signed. Those were heady days when there was a real sense of achievement and breakthrough. His sense of social duty and his commitment to people on the ground never left him and he made an indelible imprint on Irish politics. This is the second occasion on which I have heard the anecdote regarding his willingness to run again for the Labour Party. That summed up one of his enduring characteristics: a great and consistent sense of humour. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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