Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I join with the Leader in paying tribute to the life and times of Lady Valerie Goulding. The obituary in The Irish Times on the Saturday following her death during the summer bore the headline, "An Aristocrat Who Did Something with Her Life", which caught the essence of Lady Goulding. It would have been easier for Lady Valerie Goulding and many other women in her position growing up in Britain and Ireland in the 1920s and 1930s not to engage with marginalised people and do something for them. Lady Goulding used her position in life and her influence to help those who were struggling. The Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf is the most vivid example of this. I am originally from Clontarf and I witnessed the development of the CRC which assists, on a daily basis, people with physical disabilities. That facility was developed as a result of Lady Goulding's determination, courage and skill and we will always remember her for that.

Lady Valerie Goulding was involved not only in Irish politics, but also in British politics. Her late father was a significant Tory Minister and legal adviser to Edward VIII as he involved himself with the then abdication negotiations with Stanley Baldwin, the then Prime Minister. Lady Goulding described in her biography how she ferried messages between Prime Minister Baldwin and Edward VIII. She was intricately involved in British and Irish politics. It was an inspired choice for Jack Lynch to appoint her to the Seanad in 1977 in order that her contribution could be recognised.

Something I admire greatly about Lady Valerie Goulding is that she never rewrote history. She remained to the day she died a great supporter of Charles J. Haughey. When others cast him off, she remained loyal to him. That was a sign of her character, loyalty and great fidelity. Charles J. Haughey gave her considerable assistance to establish the CRC and she repaid him with her support. She was a tremendous person and woman in her own right and those lucky enough to have served with her in this House will cherish her memory. Long may her memory continue alive and well in this House.