John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I am delighted the House is recognising this achievement by Senator Maurice Hayes in being given the European of the Year award. I and all those who have been associated with the forum are well aware of the amount of work and effort Senator Hayes put into it. Moreover, he always ensured that there would be a balance of opinion and that all voices were represented. The central achievement of what he has done at the forum is to bring Europe to a wider audience and demystify some of the jargon that surrounds it. Many more people in this country have an understanding of Europe as a result of his work.

There is an unfortunate tendency on these occasions to make tributes sound like obituaries, and I know that is not what Senator Hayes would want. It is appropriate that we recognise his work at the forum, in this House, with the Gaelic Athletic Association and in his previous incarnation as a public servant. His experience with the Patten Commission may have served him well when it came to dealing with some of the rowdier elements at the Forum on Europe, and this country and Europe owe him a significant debt. It is appropriate that we recognise that.