Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Independent group of which I am a member I join in the expressions of sympathy to the Healy-Rae family, in particular my colleagues, Michael and Danny, as we remember the contribution of the late Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae to the Dáil. As a number of people have mentioned, Jackie kept the very shaky Fianna Fáil Government from 1997 in power. The Ceann Comhairle might remember the consternation that was felt in the House when Jackie got ill once or twice on the train from Heuston and we thought we were into an imminent general election. Fortunately, he recovered. We were not ready at the time and the Dáil went on.

I served with Jackie in three Dáileanna and we often discussed south Kerry issues and the Beara Peninsula. He knew of my Healy connections in the area. In the 19th century, the Healy clan was based mostly in the hills and mountains around Lauragh. I watched with admiration as he served in the Dáil the way that a very dangerous road, which I use very regularly, from Kenmare through Kilgarvan and up to Glenflesk, Barraduff and Rathmore, was gradually widened and dramatically improved to become a very good regional road. Of course, that was one of his achievements.

Dr. Liam Weeks of University College Cork has done very interesting studies on the role of Independent Deputies in the Chamber.

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We are a remarkable Parliament according to Dr. Weeks. Compared with other European parliaments, Independent Members have played a strong role here. That has been the case from the Government of the late 1940s, to the two Independent Members who supported the Lemass Government, to the great Tony Gregory who supported Governments in the 1980s and right down to today when Independent Members serve in both government and opposition. Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae was a fundamental part of that great tradition. He made a contribution which showed how an individual Deputy could exert great influence for his beloved kingdom.

He brought the spirit of Kerry to this House. I refer to the county's tremendous culture, great expertise and excellence in tourism and enterprise, as well as its wonderful achievements in Gaelic football and other sports. It is an honour to be able to say ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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