Shane Ross (Independent)

I join the expressions of sympathy to the family of Séamus de Brún, his party and friends and relations. Like Senator O'Rourke, I was honoured to sit in this House with him for several years. I reflect on the fact that he was one of those Senators who ran counter to the criticisms some of us make of this House. He was elected from the Cultural and Educational Panel and may have sprung from political roots but his contributions on cultural and educational matters were surpassed by no one. He stood as one of those beacons who countered criticism of this House. His contributions were valuable, knowledgable and erudite. He was selective about the matters on which he spoke but that does not mean he did not know about other matters. It meant that he only spoke on matters about which he felt he was elected to speak and about which he could make a contribution. His contributions were absolutely priceless, quite invaluable and an education to the rest of us. We should be grateful for what he did in this House.

As Senator Brian Hayes said, he was particularly committed to this House, as is evidenced by the fact that he never tried to get out of it. That is a serious commitment. He did not come here to use the Seanad as a platform for the Dáil or as a defeated Dáil candidate, as many of us have done. He came because he felt he had a contribution to make and he made a great contribution. I wish we had more people like him. He will stand out in historical terms for that pinnacle of achievement, which is the best thing that can happen in this House.

He was a good friend to many of us when he was here. He crossed the political divide. He was one of those people to whom one could speak and not be aware of his party label. That is not meant to be pejorative. He judged things on their merit and spoke his mind. He was reasonably apolitical to the extent that he did not get involved in the hand-to-hand combat as some of us might do.

I express my sympathy to his family, particularly Tadhg de Brún, whom many of us know from RTE. May he rest in peace.