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

Ba mhaith liom, ar mo shon féin agus ar son Pháirtí Fhianna Fáil, comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Creed as ucht bás Donal agus ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leo as ucht an méid a rinne Donal ar son mhuintir na tíre seo le blianta beaga anuas. Níl aon amhras orainn ach gur pholaiteoir den scoth a bhí i nDonal. Fear lách, cneasta ab ea é agus d'oibrigh sé go dian dícheallach ar son mhuintir a dhúiche lá i ndiaidh lae. Tírghráthóir a bhí ann agus bhí sé macánta agus láidir ina chuid tuairimí.

Donal Creed had a long, productive and distinguished life as a political representative. Without question, he made a very significant contribution to political life in Ireland, building on a strong legacy of public service that was instilled in the Creed family from the earliest days of the Irish State. In many respects, the Dáil was a home from home for Donal as he served in this House for 24 years. He contested eight general elections, four in the constituency of Mid Cork and four in Cork North-West. He was an electoral powerhouse and was successful every time. He had that capacity to transcend partisan party loyalties, which was evidenced by the wonderful tribute Tom Meaney paid to Donal.

As the Taoiseach said, he was also a pioneering member of Ireland's representation in the European Parliament at the very earliest stages from 1973 to 1977. He understood early on the centrality of belonging to the then EEC and the European Union to Ireland's future and, in particular, to the well-being of our agrifood industry and farming community. In many respects, he was a lone Deputy in the Mid Cork constituency but, as the Taoiseach said, when he moved to Cork North-West, Fine Gael was taking two out of three seats there. The arrival of Deputy Michael Moynihan on the scene changed that; I remember having a role in it at the time. It is a bit of a bellwether constituency, as we know, and I assure the Taoiseach that we will be keeping a close eye on it in the coming while.

Donal, of course, contested a by-election in 1965 and a general election soon followed that. On a lighter note, I understand that his first parliamentary question was to ask the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he would have a letter box erected at Clondrohid creamery, County Cork. The reply told him that the provision of a letter box at the place in question was not warranted in view of its proximity to the local post office. Undeterred, Donal Creed came back shortly afterwards asking for two phone boxes. Having delivered two seats for Fine Gael in Cork North-West, he was made Minister of State in the Department of Health in June 1981. I remember that period well as I was a student then; it speaks to my commitment to stability in the House in these times. There were three elections in the space of 18 months. His stint in health came to an end because of that high degree of political volatility and instability. However, he did come back in late 1982 and was appointed as Minister of State in the Department of Education with responsibility for sport. Being a Cork man, that appointment was probably the most natural fit and the most appropriate appointment one could make, given Cork's prowess on the sporting fields.

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