Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope the House will indulge me in expressing sadness and respect on hearing this morning of the passing of an exceptional Irishman, Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin. On behalf of the Government, I express condolences to Mícheál's family and friends and to the cultural community more widely who are mourning his loss. Mícheál's talents as a composer and musician were rightly admired and have been hugely appreciated. He energised and engaged audiences, both at home and abroad, with magical piano performances combining Irish traditional music and classical music. At the helm of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, he made a significant contribution to our cultural knowledge and to mentoring many new generations of young Irish musicians. His broadcast work enhanced the fundamental understanding of our musical heritage.

Mícheál played an enormously important role as the first chairperson of Culture Ireland from its establishment in 2005 until 2014, shaping how Ireland would best promote the arts and culture, not only at home but also globally.

I certainly hope that, through our Global Ireland initiative, we can do justice to the work he started by continuing to ensure that people across the world understand the extent of our musical heritage. I want to thank and recognise him for his extraordinary contribution to Irish life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

See this speech in context