Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I would like to echo the comments of the Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke in her tributes to the former Senator, Larry McMahon. The family were very pleased and honoured that the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Kiely, was able to attend the funeral mass in Boharnabreena last week. They wished that I put on the record that to have such a senior office holder, the Speaker of this House at the funeral of their late father was something they very much appreciated. It is difficult for a family such as the McMahons, who have seen the ups and downs of politics, to lose their mother and father within such a short space of time. Ursula and Larry were a fine double act, not just in their family but also as a significant source of stability in the constituency branch of our party for over three decades.

In recent years Larry was able to continue to enjoy his connections with the former Members of this House. One of the best recent developments is that we now have a retired members' association where former colleagues can come together regularly to meet and discuss issues. Larry enjoyed that very much.

Larry McMahon was synonymous with politics in Dublin South-West for over three decades. He represented his local community in Boharnabreena and the Glenasmole Valley. While the constituency has many problems and challenges to address, it is by far the most beautiful constituency in the entire Dublin region, comprising the Dublin Mountains and the remaining old rural parts of the county. He was before his time as an environmentalist in defending the importance of rural sustainable communities in large urban areas.

The Tánaiste said in the other House this morning that he saw the importance of villages thriving within Dublin because the city is not one urban sprawl but contains communities, particularly old rural ones, that need to be recognised. He grew old with Tallaght, saw the great challenges in that community and responded to them over many years.

As the Leader said, he was a distinguished member of Dublin County Council for almost three decades. He came to prominence in 1970, on the resignation from the then Government of Mr. Kevin Boland, following the turbulence of the arms crisis. He won that by-election and remained a Deputy for the constituency until 1982. He is one of a small group of politicians who had to fight three general elections between 1981 and 1982. He lost one and won two. The election he lost was that which led to a Fine Gael Government that lasted almost five years, from 1982 to 1987. Larry McMahon's family, and his supporters in our constituency, suffered grievously for a politician who had been on the wrong side of political destiny.

He enjoyed his time in this House from 1982 to 1992. On one famous occasion, in 1989, he achieved a win for the independent spirit in our party when having failed to obtain a nomination on behalf of his party, he received one from other Members and went on to win his seat as an Independent Fine Gael Senator. However, after the election took his rightful place on these benches.

It is a great example of a politician that he can win votes from all parties and none over the course of a Seanad campaign. The fact that he received a poke in the eye from the apparatchiks in Mount Street added to his campaign.