Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his guidance in respect of this matter and for deciding that because the occasion is so important for the Seanad and for the person concerned, and even though it is not allowed in the normal course of events, we will offer our congratulations before the Order of Business.

I have great pleasure, as Leader of the House and on behalf of my party, to pass on an enthusiastic vote of congratulations to Senator Maurice Hayes who has been named European of the Year by a panel of distinguished and independent adjudicators. He was given his award early on Monday afternoon before a large crowd of 300 people. The Senator received a high accolade, not just from those present but also from the President of Ireland, the representatives of European movements in many member states and accession countries and other distinguished invitees. It would be difficult to match what the President said about Senator Maurice Hayes because she knows him well. President McAleese and the Senator have worked together and observed each other and it is clear they have extreme fondness for each other. The President has a high regard for the work Senator Maurice Hayes has done.

After the first Nice referendum, Senator Maurice Hayes undertook an odyssey — there is no other way to describe it — of Ireland. He visited cities, towns and villages across the country to communicate the message of Europe. He did not merely inform people about what Europe has given us — in practical terms that formed part of his message — but he also delineated the rich heritage and culture of Europe, of which we were part before many of those who might be regarded as being of mainstream Europe. Senator Maurice Hayes expressed it so well when he said that we were Europeans before the term was ever devised.

I recall attending one of the early gatherings the Senator convened in Athlone to impart his message. He communicated that message on an all-party basis and had people from the different political parties with him to provide assistance in that regard. A large, enthusiastic but sometimes bellicose crowd in Athlone IT witnessed his skills of dissertation and his use of realistic, homely and matter of fact language. I recall speaking afterwards to some of those who had engaged in robust debate during the gathering and they informed me that at least they could understand the Senator and knew what he was talking about.

Senator Maurice Hayes has displayed dedication to the culture and traditions of Europe, which have lasted many centuries, and the poets, wanderers, minstrels and, in their day, legislators. He has given such rich expression to his beliefs in this regard.

There are many facets to the Senator's life and he has always brought dignity and distinction to the roles — ombudsman, town clerk or chairman of the Forum on Europe — he has played. Whatever job he undertakes, he brings to it his own particular force of personality.

We are honoured that Senator Maurice Hayes, an appointee of the Taoiseach, is a Member of this House. When he speaks in this Chamber there is a sagacity to his words which always strikes me as a mark of the wisdom brought on by experience. The Senator brings the latter to bear on whatever he says or does. There is a song called "The Star of the County Down" which is about a woman but in this instance we have our own star of County Down in this Chamber and I pay great tribute to him.