Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Two former Senators have passed away but we will not have expressions of sympathy on the death of the second until after his funeral.

I express my sympathy on the death of a strong and committed Fine Gael Senator who was the Leader of this House for a period, Mr. Michael J. O'Higgins. I am aware that the party opposite will have many fine things to say about him but I would like to commend and appreciate the strong way he represented people over a number of years. He was a member of the O'Higgins family, a very well known and distinguished family, many of whom went into politics and all of whom distinguished themselves, as did Michael J.O'Higgins. His uncle was Kevin O'Higgins and his father, Kevin O'Higgins's brother, was a medical doctor who imbued in his sons his dedication to the Fine Gael cause.

When they were young men, Michael and Tom O'Higgins — the latter a presidential candidate -were members of what were then known as the Blueshirts. Michael said he would always be proud to wear the blueshirt again if the need arose. I admire the way he said that so openly. Michael represented a Dáil constituency which also boasted Seán MacBride and Robert Briscoe as Deputies. Afterwards he was nominated to the Seanad. When inter-party talks began early in 1973 following Fianna Fáil's sudden decision to go to the country, O'Higgins, who was then a Senator, was involved in the drawing up of a common programme which helped to bring Fine Gael back to power for the first time since 1957. In 1973, Michael was also director of elections for Fine Gael. He was extremely active, busy and committed.

Michael was regarded as an excellent Leader of this House. When Fianna Fáil returned to Government in 1977, he retired from politics, as did his wife, Deputy Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins. Apparently they had a happy and fecund married life. They had nine children, none of whom became involved in national politics. Perhaps they became involved at local level. Michael and Brigid were a husband and wife team in Leinster House for a number of years. They raised a large family and were involved in farming.

Michael's death represents a real break with the past era for the Fine Gael Party because he was one of its seminal figures. His family was very involved in the party's foundation. He took a very strong line on issues in the Seanad. When Mary Robinson introduced her then controversial Bill, he was well able to put forward his point of view and debate it strongly. I meant to read that debate to get a flavour of it. His passing, and all the memories it evokes, will be very poignant for the Fine Gael Party. The example Michael set in this and the other House will serve as a headline for the Fine Gael Party for many years to come. He was a committed and devoted public servant and represented the people and this House in a fine manner. We extend our sympathy to his family and wish for the words of Members of Seanad Éireann to be passed on to them.