Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 April 2005

Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II: Motion.

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I move:

That, as a tribute of respect to the memory of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Dáil Éireann sends an expression of its profound sadness and sympathy on the death of The Holy Father to His Eminence Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

It was an honour and privilege for me to attend the funeral of the late Holy Father as part of the national delegation led by President McAleese, in the company of the Tánaiste and Deputy Kenny as Leader of the Opposition. The sadness we have all felt at his passing has been lightened somewhat by the widespread celebration of his life and his achievements which we have witnessed around the world since his death.

The widespread sorrow at his passing and the unprecedented attendance at his funeral reflected the scale of his impact on the world of our time. In part, this reflected his long reign in the See of Peter, his personal charisma, tireless travel around the world, the depth of his wisdom and the clarity of his teaching, his forgiveness for his would-be assassin, his dignity in old age and infirmity and, above all, his capacity to connect with people of all ages, but especially with young people. Arguably, he was seen in person by more people than anyone else in history. In these encounters, he affirmed the good in people and challenged us all to live out that goodness. One obituary read as follows:

His is a heroic record. Here was one of the greatest men of the age. His principled stance, ethical leadership and evident holiness won respect and admiration, even from his enemies and critics.

On his election, he told the church and the world, "Do not be afraid". He demonstrated his own fearlessness in addressing the challenges of the age. He did so with a profound sense of history, not least the history of his own nation. He was convinced, and lived the conviction, that history had a purpose, which was revealed in the act of redemption. That conviction inspired him to preach the centrality of the dignity of the human person. In turn, he saw that dignity as the basis for moral power in the face of unjust and oppressive systems. Nowhere was that demonstrated more than in his decisive contribution to the collapse of communism and the liberation of his beloved Poland and the neighbouring societies.

The reintegration of Europe was a cherished objective. He was particularly gratified by the accession of Poland and the other member states on 1 May 2004. With its Christian tradition, he saw Europe as offering great hope to the world well beyond the boundaries of the Continent. He was equally clear-sighted about the challenges to be met, not least in responding to materialism and aggressive secularism.

His, however, was a global vision. This was reflected, in part, in his firm if sometimes critical commitment to the multilateral approach to dealing with world problems, especially through the United Nations. His determination to establish good relations with the Jewish people reflected his historic sense of the injustice they suffered, not only at the hands of Christians and not least in his own country, and under Nazi occupation in his own home region. Equally, his engagement with other faith traditions, especially Islam, showed that his respect for human dignity and for the right relations between people extended across all boundaries. In his life and action, he demonstrated that, far from being inevitable, a clash of civilisations would be a great evil and could be averted. In this he was surely offering a profound service to the world.

He, of course, will forever hold a special place in Irish hearts for his historic visit to Ireland so early in his term as Pope. We all have our own personal memories of the visit. Above all, I recall his moving words of passionate pleading uttered in Drogheda to persuade those engaged in violence in Ireland to find a new and more human way of pursuing their objectives. I have no doubt this moving appeal played no small part in the development of the framework for peace on this island, the completion of which was of such continuing concern to him, as he expressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ahern, when he met him last November. His historical perspective led him to pay homage at Clonmacnoise to the Irish saints and missionaries who evangelised Europe, and their thousands of successors in the modern era who have served the church and their communities around the world.

Many have called for Pope John Paul II to be known as the Great. Many also look forward to his early canonisation. Others have pointed to areas of contradiction in his life and work, not least within the life of his own church. All that he did, however, he did in total service to his God, his church and the whole of humanity. He demonstrated conclusively that those who believe religious faith has no part to play in modern society, unlike earlier societies, are wrong. They fail to read the signs of the times. On the contrary, he demonstrated the liberating power of religious belief and practice. He demonstrated the hunger for spirituality and the response to authentic spiritual leadership to be found around the world, among young and old, even when the ideals which are preached cannot always be met.

Above all, he touched the lives and hearts of millions by his willingness to give, and to keep giving, in his work, his preaching, his life and, finally, in his suffering until there was nothing left to give. Many of us will at this time be thinking of and praying for Cardinal Desmond Connell and his brother Cardinals as they face into the difficult task of choosing a successor to this remarkable man. Pope John Paul II has gone to his rest, and the rewards of those who have run the race and who have kept the faith. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I wish to join with the Taoiseach in his tribute to Pope John Paul II. I want to reflect for one moment on the breadth of his vision and his personal experience. As a young man, his mother died and he was left in the guardianship of his father and was dedicated to Our Lady in a particular personal way. He became a loyal son of the church in Poland at a time when that country was going through a mortal crisis. He saw his country invaded by the two great forces of totalitarianism at the time. He saw it being dismembered and must have seen all about him the naked evil of what can go wrong when people lose their moral compass and lose all contact with the higher things in life and the values by which we all hope to live. He saw terrible cruelty all around him. He must have felt despair for his country, of which he was so proud, as it was dismembered in front of his eyes.

Notwithstanding that, he became a priest in the Catholic Church. He stayed with his church in circumstances where it was the subject of huge oppression for many years. The wonderful thing about his life is that he showed eventually that by sticking to what he believed in, and by mobilising other people to follow his example, the power of ordinary people's convictions and sense of what is right and wrong could endure one tyranny and overthrow a second tyranny.

As the Taoiseach said, he was an enthusiast for the creation of a Europe which is free from war. Not only that, his great project was that Europe should be a Continent in pursuit of the ideals by which he himself lived. Not everyone agreed with everything he said, but that is not the point. Everyone was struck by the fact that he constantly stood by his own personal beliefs.

As the Taoiseach noted, in a world in which some people have come to view greed and the absence of values as the hallmarks of our time, the Pope showed a completely different side to humanity in the past few years. The reaction of the world to his passing and the way in which he faced his final illness underlines the strength of human spirit against all forms of adversity.

He came to this country in 1979, one year into his pontificate. He performed an act of humility on his arrival to a country by kneeling down and kissing the soil to demonstrate to the people his sense of their dignity and pride in their land. He went on his knees for a second time in Drogheda to plead with the Irish people and anybody tempted to resort to violence to abandon violence and take the path of peace. He pointed out that while they might claim to be in pursuit of justice, he too sought justice but that violence was always subversive and destructive. We have all recently had the opportunity to reflect on these words. They have never been so true and everybody in this House would hold the view that this message, ignored for more than a quarter of a century, still speaks to us today.

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I join the Taoiseach in paying tribute to this wonderful human being and the strength of his spirit. Everybody in this House will endorse the thought: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I support the motion proposed by the Taoiseach. World leaders gathered in Rome last Friday for the burial of the Pope and to pay tribute to a remarkable man who was a poet, actor, mystic, jet-setter, philosopher, anti-war campaigner, human rights activist and evangelist. He meant more to humanity than any other individual in the history of mankind. His university friends once pinned a note on his desk which read "Apprentice Saint". Last Friday's call of Santo Subito may yet be granted for one described as approaching the papacy with the constitution of a horse and the energy of a freight train.

I was deeply privileged and moved to be part of the Irish delegation at the funeral of Pope John Paul II, history's most public and spiritual leader. He brought the gospel not only to the furthest edges of Catholicism and Christendom but also to the birthplaces of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. He brought it to the heartland of secularism and materialism and even to the bastion of communism for 40 years. He went head to head with Stalinists for what he referred to as the soul of Poland.

Pope John Paul II was a charismatic and controversial figure. However, even those who rejected his conservatism might praise his authenticity. Much has been said and will be said about the exterior of his 26-year pontificate which may yet be one of the most consequential through his advocacy of the poor, commitment to peace, challenge to communism and secularism, public promotion of spirituality in countries where religion was punishable and rehabilitation of Galileo into the church.

The interior dimension of his papacy was also important. The immense, profoundly spiritual aspect of the life of Pope John Paul II and his soul's journey touched and inspired millions throughout the world. In the days before and after his death, millions began to think about the transcendent aspect of who we are, of finding a sense of life and meaning, about our own soul's journey, the nature of human suffering and our higher selves. We seldom get an opportunity to consider such matters privately, never mind collectively, on such a global scale and in such a material world. It has been extremely good and helpful for a large swathe of humankind to get a sense of who we are as part of a global family. We have been able to step off the treadmill of day-to-day living and think and express ourselves in a remarkable and extraordinary way, both publicly and privately.

For Pope John Paul II the challenge of life existed in the gap between who we are and who we ought to be. Even if we were not totally preoccupied by this, it made us think beyond the habitual and banal at least once over the past two weeks. We should be grateful for that alone.

He urged politicians to have courage, hold our heads up and deal with the great challenges of humanity as identified by him on 10 January: life, food, freedom and peace. World politicians could pay the most fitting tribute, perhaps, by nominating him for a posthumous Nobel peace prize.

Pope John Paul II liked to watch the sunrise, even when ill. Some years ago, having broken his thigh, he shuffled noisily into a room full of bishops. It was business as usual. Manoeuvring himself into place, he muttered, "Epper si muove— And yet it moves." These were the words spoken by Galileo to the Inquisition after he was sentenced to life in prison for the heretical assertion that the Earth moves around the sun. The Pope's spokesman, Joaquin Novarro-Valls, said that in the end his soul dragged his body. That was clear at his funeral last Friday. His soul still moves.

Ireland was one of the first countries Pope John Paul II chose to visit, and Knock was the goal of that journey. He set goals in his life and, more than anybody else of whom I have ever known, he exited this mortal world having delivered fully on his life's commitments. He left behind goals for politicians to follow and attempt to achieve, and we should do our utmost to do so.

I share the sentiments expressed by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the death of Pope John Paul II. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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On behalf of the Labour Party I extend our sympathy and regret on the death of Pope John Paul II. His death marks the end for a truly remarkable leader. He was not only the leader of the Catholic Church but also a most influential figure in world affairs.

He was the most dominant figure in the religious life of the world's Catholics for more than a quarter of a century and also played a highly influential role in general world affairs. I am also glad to have had the privilege of meeting him some years ago.

The spontaneous and unprecedented outpouring of grief in Rome, Poland and throughout the world was testimony to the way in which he touched the lives of many. There are few great historical figures whose passing has had such a deeply personal and emotional impact. In our modern world, only Nelson Mandela will be as widely mourned when his time comes. Perhaps only Mikhail Gorbachev has had such a deep and lasting impact in tackling oppression and on the world around him.

Pope John Paul II transformed the image of the papacy. In a clear recognition of the demands of the modern era, he brought the papacy to the people and possibly travelled more than any other world leader in history, taking a message to the people in the most direct way. In doing so, he left an indelible imprint, not just on matters of faith and morals but also on world affairs. His influence and that of his office on issues of peace and justice throughout the world grew in each year of his reign.

The Pope held strong and sometimes controversial views on religious matters. In calm reflection, many will acknowledge that his unbending stance on issue such as contraception contributed little to the struggle against AIDS and HIV in Africa. The role of women was never enhanced in his church. The institution stumbled many times before finally coming to terms, if it has, with the issue of sexual abuse.

Pope John Paul II was undoubtedly an authoritarian figure whose convictions left him unable to tolerate dissent, which meant that he was unable to respond to the movement for justice in South America, and this led to the stifling of liberation theology. However, nobody was ever in any doubt as to the strength and vigour of these convictions. For example, he will also be remembered as a strong opponent of war, a proponent of peace and a powerful advocate for the world's poor. His unremitting opposition to the death penalty, for instance, will not always have sat comfortably with some of those who came to mourn his passing.

For many in this country, as the Taoiseach said, the most enduring image of the Pope's reign will be his visit to Ireland in 1979, which left such a lasting impression on an entire generation of Irish people. Remembering the strong and charismatic figure who came to Ireland all those years ago, it is all the more poignant that the final years of the Pope's life were marked by his courageous and dignified battle against painful and debilitating illness. Many in the church will look forward with hope to an era of change but that will not diminish the lasting reference, respect and affection with which Pope John Paul II will be remembered.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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On behalf of the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, I pay tribute and respect to the late Pope John Paul II who, as mentioned by previous speakers, was well known as a man of peace, opposing not only the violence of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland but also the bombing of Iraq and many other so-called legitimate wars. He was a man of reconciliation, and for that he has left a valuable legacy, reaching out to cultures and other religious traditions worldwide. As a man of forgiveness, he made many people sit up and take note when he embraced his would-be assassin. It is somewhat poignant that the day he died was the day after the 37th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, another world figure and renowned man of peace.

As also a man of justice in opposing greed and selfishness, many have commented on the need for his legacy to be emulated and to live on, but all too few have mentioned the strong, forthright words he said at the beginning of 2001 and at other times when he called and pleaded for an ecological conversion. It is clear that he meant his words to be taken seriously. He said:

. . . if we scan the regions of our planet, we immediately see that humanity has disappointed God's expectations. Man, especially in our time, has without hesitation devastated wooded plains and valleys, polluted waters, disfigured the earth's habitat, made the air unbreathable, disturbed the hydrogeological and atmospheric spheres and turned luxuriant areas into deserts and undertaken forms of unrestrained industrialisation, humiliatingthe . . . garden of the universe to use the image of Dante Alighieri.

He also said:

We must therefore encourage and support the 'ecological conversion' that in recent decades has made humanity more sensitive to the catastrophe to which it has been heading. Man is no longer the Creator's 'steward', but an autonomous despot, who is finally beginning to understand that he must stop at the edge of the abyss.

In 2001 in his pamphlet, God made Man the Steward of Creation, he made a plea which needs to be repeated and taken on board with the other legacies he left us. I thank God for people like Fr. Seán McDonagh who have championed those words and sentiments, as well as for Pope John Paul II. The Pope was not deaf to the cry of the earth but it appears that all too often the people to whom he was speaking overlooked it because it was too uncomfortable to take on board what he was saying.

Nuair a bhí me ag an aifreann i bPáirc an Fhionnuisce i 1979, ba léir go raibh meas ag an bPápa ar gach sórt cultúir agus ar theangacha éagsúla, mar labhair sé as Gaeilge chomh maith le Béarla ar an ócáid sin — agus ar ócáidí eile nuair a bhí sé ar cuairt in Éirinn. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go léirimidne an meas céanna ar na rudaí a dúirt sé agus ní amháin ar na rudaí ar mian linn a thuiscint agus a chloisint. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhór an chailliúint do dhaoine ar fud na hÉireann agus ar fud na cruinne bás an Phápa Eoin Pól II. The death of Pope John Paul II was a cause of sorrow to people throughout Ireland and the world. He was the leader of the Catholic Church from 1978 and he spent his long life in the service of that church and the promotion of inter-faith relations. He was a man of deep faith. He had a strong personality and he made a deep impression on people individually and collectively. His intelligence, integrity and spirituality were clear to all, as were his courage and determination in the face of the long and very debilitating illness he suffered in the last years of his life.

The early life experience of Karol Wojtyla in Nazi-occupied Poland was hugely important in shaping his outlook and deepening his faith. It also meant that many people throughout the world felt a special affinity with him. It was no coincidence that he was recognised by people of the Jewish faith as the pontiff who did most to advance reconciliation and to make amends on behalf of the Catholic Church for the persecution of Jews over many centuries. His act of forgiveness of the man who tried to assassinate him was also of great significance and, more recently, his call for the cancellation of Third World debt and his opposition to the imperialist war in Iraq were widely welcomed.

For many in the Catholic Church, the undoubted personal integrity, spirituality and leadership qualities of the late Pope cannot obscure the deep division among Catholics over doctrine, over the governance of the church. This is neither the time nor the place to go into those issues which are primarily the concern of members of the Catholic Church, but some of these matters have major social consequences which are of wider concern.

The ban on contraception and divorce, imposed by the State and based on Catholic doctrine, undoubtedly contributed very significantly to the second-class status of women. The church strongly opposed the lifting of those bans. The opposition of the Catholic Church to contraception is undoubtedly an obstacle to the fight against HIV-AIDS throughout the world today. On these issues the late pontiff was conservative and they will continue to be hugely challenging issues for his successor, as will the failure of Rome to deal justly with the scandal of widespread child abuse by clergy and the blind eye that was turned to it for decades.

The Pope's visit to Drogheda has been recalled many times since his death. We have heard again of his appeal to those whom he called men and women engaged in violence. It is presumed that the main author of that section of the pontiff's speech was the then Bishop of Down and Connor, Cathal Daly, who proved incapable of condemning the violence of the British state with the vehemence he reserved for others. I will conclude with another passage from the speech delivered by Pope John Paul II, which is also worthy of remembering. I nDroichead Átha, dúirt sé:

Every human being has inalienable rights that must be respected. Each human community — ethnic, historical, cultural or religious — has rights which must be respected. Peace is threatened every time one of . . . [those] rights is violated. The moral law, guardian of human rights, protector of the dignity of man, cannot be set aside by any person or group, or by the State itself, for any cause, not even for security or in the interests of law and order. The Law of God stands in judgment over all reasons of State.

As long as injustice exists in any of the areas that touch upon the dignity of the human person, be it in the political, social or economic field, be it in the cultural or religious sphere, true peace will not exist. The causes of inequalities must be identified through a courageous and objective evaluation, and they must be eliminated so that every person can develop and grow in the full measure of his or her humanity.

I wholeheartedly endorse the motion before the House. Ar lámh dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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I wish to share time with Deputy James Breen.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is agreed.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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I support the motion proposed by the Taoiseach. Pope John Paul II was one of the foremost figures of the 20th, or of any, century yet he was a humble giant, particularly in his final years of infirmity. He reached the highest stature when he could not raise his head, lift his arm or address his people, particularly in his final appearances at his Vatican apartment window. He faced down dictators throughout the world and drew immense cheering crowds around the world in places as far apart as Manila, Manchester, Boston and Bombay.

From the day of his election in October 1978, Pope John Paul II led the Catholic Church with strength and clarity, firm in his faith and boundless in his compassion. With a reign of more than 26 years, making him the third longest serving pope in the history of the world after St. Peter and Pius IX, it is likely that more than half the world's population can barely recall any other pope. This pope was open, accessible and spontaneous in his gestures, frequently brushing away his security guards as he reached out to the people, particularly the disabled.

He was courageous and not afraid to tackle power head on by standing in solidarity with the people of his native Poland in their quest for political freedom. He changed the course of history and helped bring an end to the Cold War through his support for the Polish Solidarity movement, which started the landslide that wiped out communism in eastern Europe and eventually in the former Soviet Union. He brought it about in a non-violent revolution without bloodshed, confounding the conservatives who counselled violent confrontation and first strikes that would have cost the lives of millions.

His voice, weakened by illness, was nevertheless at its strongest and most forceful against the Iraq war. He repeatedly called on the world's rich to share their wealth with the poor. He urged the young to take care of the old and the healthy to take care of the sick. He decried what he saw as the culture of death, particularly the tragedy of abortion and the death penalty. He was a prophet of peace and justice, especially in the Middle East and the Third World, balancing his concern for Palestinian rights with his condemnation of terror.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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I support the motion. Pope John Paul II will be sadly missed by millions of people throughout the world. During his life he offered people a sense of dignity and humanity that represents the human face of the Catholic Church. He appealed to both young and old and his method was one of simple honesty. In his many visits to different countries he was always seen as a likeable man with a sense of dignity and respect. People were touched that he chose to visit them and his willingness to leave the Vatican and travel throughout the world made him a universal figure and allowed the Catholic Church to be seen as a global church.

Embracing millions of people from different cultures and backgrounds, he also possessed a great sense of humour as evidenced on many occasions which showed us that he was one of us, a man of the people with feelings just like ours. It was this honest expression of feelings that appealed to people and I respect him for that. When the Pope came to Ireland, I was in Galway with young people from Kilnamona youth club. It was an honour to be there to see the wonderful outpouring of emotion and real love for this man. His message to the young people of Ireland was simple. He told them he loved them, which was an honest and genuine message. This was really appreciated by young people who are so seldom treated with such respect in the public domain. Young people are not fools and they appreciate honesty as a quality in people.

The Pope was also not afraid to be honest on issues of faith, which were sometimes unpopular. He was not trying to win any popularity contest. He spoke with the same honesty on such issues and was thereby respected. His honesty allowed the Pope to communicate well with young people and to gain their trust and admiration. He earned their respect in a way that many adults find very difficult. To have earned the respect of so many young people was an amazing feat.

Pope John Paul II showed by his actions and words that young people were a vital part of society and the Church. Their continued involvement is both necessary and desirable. During his life the Pope gave a great example to us by his honesty and humility. He showed us how to respect others, not only by his words but also by his deeds. He reached out to many people of different faiths with the same warmth he showed in Galway. He was certainly a man of the people and he will be fondly remembered by millions for many years to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Photo of Michael AhernMichael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I join the other Members of the House in supporting the motion. The Pope was a man who was respected worldwide not only because he professed the beliefs of the Catholic Church, which was his duty, but also because he was willing to listen to people of other religions, including other Christians, Muslims and Jews as well as those of no religion. This was based on his living out the two great commandments of Christianity: love of God and love of one's neighbour. Those two commandments that he professed in action as well as in word formed the basis of his greatness. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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With the death of Pope John Paul II, we have lost one of the greatest world leaders of our time. From his first day as Pope when he referred to having come from a far country to the day of his burial last Friday, he made a huge impact not only on religious matters but also on world affairs. Earlier this year, readers of the Financial Times voted him the most influential figure on the European stage. In the past 12 months a UK poll rated him as among the three most admired living people in the world, ranking him alongside Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. Few events in the world and particularly a funeral could lead the world to such a standstill as the people of all faiths and none paid their tributes to this great man last week. Countless world events were either postponed or changed to facilitate and mark his passing.

As the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said, his background is interesting. He worked in the Polish coalmines to earn the fees for a university education. He witnessed the invasion of his native Poland by Hitler which sparked off a war that was to affect the entire world. He witnessed one in six of his fellow countrymen facing a violent death in the following six years. He witnessed the takeover of his country by a communist regime. He experienced the effect nazism and communism had on the dignity of the human person. All of this along with his undoubted Christian faith moulded him into the type of leader the world came to admire greatly. His impact on world affairs was extraordinary. He is rightly credited with assisting in the fall in communism and the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

While his influence on every country he visited cannot be measured in any quantitative sense, his impact was enormous. During his visit to this country in 1979, Pope John Paul II made a huge impact. Other speakers have indicated the remarkable esteem and outpouring of emotion that greeted the first visit of a pope to this country. However, the full impact of his visit has yet to be realised. His plea on bended knee in Drogheda to the men of violence to adopt peaceful means has yet to be fully answered. His words continue to have resonance today. In seeking an end to violence and criminality, the Government recently invoked his 1979 plea. Perhaps now is the time for strong leadership as epitomised in Pope John Paul II and to take control of the peace process, end ambiguity and appeasement and let the men of violence know the game is up. There can be no greater way for Members of this House to honour the late pope than by showing this type of leadership and ridding the country of the men of violence once and for all.

He appealed to both conservatives and liberals, to one with his heart and to one with his head. Regardless of whether one agreed with him, he was resolute and strong. People knew where they stood with him. I am sure his tenure as pope will continue to have an impact on religious and world affairs for many years to come. He deserves our gratitude and respect.

Liz O'Donnell (Dublin South, Progressive Democrats)
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I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these expressions of sorrow and appreciation on the death of Pope John Paul II. As a champion and advocate of human rights and human dignity for the duration of his papacy, Pope John Paul II sought and achieved radical change throughout the world, including in some of the most difficult places and especially in his beloved Poland, throughout eastern Europe and in South America and Africa. The world has lost a true hero who personified all that is wonderful in the human condition. While I disagreed with the Pope on certain issues such as contraception and the role of women in the church — their absence from ministering the church diminishes the institution — he held his views sincerely and one must respect them.

As late as last year, when it was obvious his health was failing badly, the Pope continued to urge the world to help those most in need. In so doing, he proclaimed the essential message of Christianity and the church's true mission of eradicating the scourge of hunger and chronic under-development in the world. He prayed that God would "sustain the efforts of the international community aimed at justice and solid development." This, he stated, was the path which could guarantee to the world a future of peace, a view frequently cited by United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, who points out that eradicating global poverty is not only a matter of charity but also of enlightened self-interest. This is an area in which we can best honour the Pope's legacy. While words of tribute are well justified, those with the privilege of political office should act in areas under our responsibility.

Tonight, around the world, more than 800 million people will go to bed hungry. Approximately 3 billion people have no clean water or sanitation, while half the population of Africa lives in extreme poverty on less than one dollar per day. Deputies will agree that in a world of unprecedented plenty this is an unconscionable and reversible position. Every day, 15,000 people in Africa die from preventable and treatable diseases.

I and many other Deputies have seen at first hand the tremendous work being done by Irish and other international aid workers in Africa and elsewhere. Funding from the Irish Government and other rich countries makes a considerable difference to the lives of millions in the developing world, particularly in Africa where needs are greatest. Once one has seen suffering abated, hunger sated and fear give way to hope as a result of aid funding and education programmes, it is impossible to turn away. Once one has seen the scale of unmet needs and become aware that lives are saved by intervention, action becomes not a political choice but a moral imperative.

This House and the Government, in our full senses, made a solemn commitment to the international community to double the Irish aid budget to 0.7% of GNP within a timeframe which has, sadly, been allowed to slip. There could be no stronger testament to the deceased Pope than for Ireland to hold to our firm commitment to the developing world and urge others in the rich world to reach the millennium development goals to which all rich countries signed up to mark the millennium.

John Paul II demanded of the church leadership in helping the oppressed of the world. Last February, in one of his last addresses, he told the world diplomatic community that providing food and ending hunger is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today. Irish people, with our memory of the great famine, have a particular identification with the catastrophe of mass hunger and famine and an onerous responsibility to give world leadership in this area. That would be a fitting memory to our beloved Pope. May he rest in peace.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to Pope John Paul II, known as John Paul the Great. I offer my sympathies to his brother priests and other brothers and sisters in religious life. As a young person, I recognise the respect in which our late pontiff was held. He is the only Pope of whom many young people aged under 35 years have memories and, as the first Pope to visit this country, he will always have a special place in the hearts of Irish people. It is a special thought that Ireland was among the first countries he visited and a large number of Irish people travelled to Rome last week to attend his funeral mass when Cardinal Ratzinger's homily caught the heart of people across the world.

It is with sadness that we lost Pope John Paul II given his great leadership skills described by Deputy O'Donnell. I will always remember the simple words he spoke in Galway during a special mass for young people when he said: "Young people of Ireland, I love you."

Last Wednesday night I attended a mass in my Wexford constituency lead by the Bishop of Ferns, Dr. Eamon Walsh. He spoke of the Pope's visits to various countries across the world. The special and simple message he offered at every venue in each country will always live in the memories of those present.

On the evening the Pope passed away, I listened as Bishop John Magee, who spent many years with John Paul II, said that among the first words the Pope will hear when he approaches the gates of heaven for his eternal reward will be "Well done, good and faithful servant", a fitting description of the late Pontiff. I hope the Catholic Church will canonise Pope John Paul II in the coming years. I extend my condolences to his brother priests, bishops and cardinals and send prayers and good wishes to the College of Cardinals in electing a new Pope in the coming weeks.

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I strongly support the motion and, like my colleagues, have personal memories of Pope John Paul II. I often think of the fateful autumn night in 1978, the year of three Popes, when the Polish Primate entered the Vatican. We could hear the bureaucrats in the Vatican say "enough" but the Pope proved that night and over the subsequent 26 years that he would not be dictated to and went about his business following the Lord's path as he saw fit.

Visiting Rome in April 1979 I had an opportunity to see the Pope at an audience. Later, I was an archbishop's corps volunteer at the Apostolic Nunciature on the Navan Road when he visited Ireland. Having seen him on the Saturday and Sunday of the visit, we were woken early on the Monday morning to meet him, with some firemen, before his departure for Maynooth. I have often talked about the experience. I was struck by his presence and how he responded to people. People have reacted to his death in an amazing way. I was particularly impressed by many of the tributes paid to him this evening and compliment the Taoiseach and other speakers on their remarks. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's words on television on the night of the Pope's death also struck a chord.

Deputies have made both negative and positive comments about the Pope. It must be remembered, however, that he was an 84 year old man who was regarded in church circles as an arch conservative, yet his death caused a huge outpouring of sympathy, particularly among young people.

I happened to be in Poland last week and was present for a mass attended by 150,000 in Warsaw on Friday. I spent Saturday, my birthday, in Krakow where I attended a concert in the evening to commemorate the Pope. I also had the opportunity of going a couple of times to the Curia house where he lived as the cardinal archbishop. One had to be impressed and touched to see the emotion evident, particularly of young people. I was glad to come home with recollections of the outpouring of grief from young people and the emotion felt on the streets of Krakow. I saw the Pope as a very positive influence on the world. In common with other Members and the Taoiseach, I wish Cardinal Desmond Connell well as he goes about the business of choosing a successor. That will not be easy.

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the fact that Deputy O'Connor has shared his time. I wish to lend my voice to those of the other Members. When this man was elected Pope, I was relatively young and many of us latched on to the fact that he had been a goalkeeper. It struck a chord with young people that this most important man was human. As time has passed, his incredible connection to youth has come to the fore. It was best seen last week, when even in his dying moments, his strongest connection was to young people. It has already been noted that for my generation and succeeding generations, he is the only Pope that can be remembered or that was ever known.

I was in the Philippines last week, and every moment of all the news channels was dedicated to his declining condition and to the events following his death. I have never seen such interest shown in an issue as there was to his health. There was a certain miraculousness about the fact that throughout the world, everyone tuning in had the same interest in this very important man. As other Members have stated, many people met the Pope. I had the honour and privilege of shaking his hand in 1990 in the Vatican. It made an impression that has stayed with me. He wished for Ireland to be at peace and I hope that his wish will be granted and we will continue to move towards the peace he envisaged for us when he visited us so many years ago. I congratulate the missionaries from Ireland throughout the world who have done us proud.

All over the world, including the Philippines, people have the same impression of this strong resolute man. As everyone has stated, whether one shared his views, one knew where one stood with him. In many ways, it is an important characteristic to know where one stands with someone. I do not know how he will be replaced or how his successor will fill his shoes. The cardinals have a difficult job ahead of them. This man has made his mark with the young and old alike which was a vital characteristic that will be difficult to replace. We wish those who will follow the procedure to install John Paul's replacement well. He visited Ireland and many other parts of the world. He made his mark everywhere and it will be difficult to replace him.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I am not afraid to say, as a practising Catholic, that I am pleased and honoured to have this opportunity to express my personal sadness and sympathy on the death of Pope John Paul II. During the last days of his life and up to his burial, the eyes of the world were focused on Rome via the media. It brought the death of a truly remarkable man into houses throughout the world. His critics will say that he was a conservative person. His opposition to abortion has been raised time and again as if to say that by virtue of that opposition, he was conservative. I am delighted to share his view on that issue. He was opposed to war, the death penalty and poverty, and in favour of human rights. He was opposed to communism and capitalism in its raw form. In this context, he was a person who stood up for his rights and for what he felt was his role in this world.

I appreciated that he said things as they were and people understood him. The Catholic Church has gone through a very difficult period in recent times, not only in Ireland but in America and other countries, because of sex scandals and abuses. His recent death and the outpouring of grief from many people in this and every other country in the world underlines the fact that people are looking for leadership. It would speak volumes if some of the leaders who were present at his funeral Mass took on board Pope John Paul II's teachings and writings. There is much in them for world leaders to express and implement. If they did so in a humane way, the world would be a better place in which to live for many people who now live in poverty, despite the fact that there is so much wealth available. He has set an example for us all. May he rest in peace.

Question put and agreed to.

Members rose.