Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Labour Party and very strongly on my own behalf, I am delighted to have an opportunity to say a few words about the late Peter Mathews.

Peter was a principled and determined Member of this House. His views were fully and very carefully formed on every significant issue that we encountered in a most turbulent period during his membership of the House. He certainly was not shy in promulgating those formed views with Ministers, colleagues, his own electorate and the general public through the media. A chartered accountant by profession, he had plenty of advice to give, particularly during the period of the economic crisis.

Many times - I cannot recall the number because there were so many - during my period as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I had the privilege of engaging with Peter on fiscal policy, the implications of our monetary strategy and what we should do differently and better. Not only did he engage me in that fashion but he also engaged with officials of the Department in which I worked, as well as the Minister for Finance and his officials. He brought those views to the Bundestag where he argued them trenchantly. On more than one occasion, with quite strong vigour, he sought access to the bilateral discussions between the Government and the troika because he felt he had a unique view to bring to bear in his analysis of what needed to be done, not only from an Irish but also from a European perspective. One had to be respectful of his views on all of these matters. I recall being here for the graveyard shift when we had sittings on a Friday and there were very few Members about. I was having a sandwich in the canteen and Peter felt he had a captive audience. It was a long luncheon and took some time to eat the sandwich, but I certainly left that encounter much better briefed on a range of issues than when it began.

At all times in all of those interactions he was a man of extreme courtesy. He was what used to be described as a gentleman. There are probably fewer people in these Houses about which such phrases can now be used, but they could be used with absolute certainty about Peter. He had innate respect and courtesy with which he promulgated very strong views and that always struck people. His views were made known with strength but never with rancour.

As others said, his illness ended his career and life prematurely. On behalf of my party and all those who were privileged to interact with Peter in his five years in this House, I extend my profound condolences to Susan, whom he loved passionately and deeply, as well as his family and friends. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raimh a h-anam uasal.

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