Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

Professor Yeats was given to postulating and philosophising, and as I saw Deputy de Valera move swiftly around, in my impatience to get him to do the same, my engagement with him was somewhat unhappy. As we all know, the Minister of State went on to capture the European seat. Around that time, she addressed us in the auditorium of Coláiste Mhuire in Parnell Square, a very impressive occasion that I remember well.

The Minister of State is an individual of independent thought, a characteristic I strongly admire. On many occasions, she has sought to represent the true meaning of Fianna Fáil, the Republican Party, which her grandfather founded, even when it meant going against party leaders. On many other occasions, she has agreed with them. I did not always agree with her. I admire her because she expressed her diverging views on issues she regarded as core principles for our party. In some instances, this stance was taken at considerable cost to her political career. She always believed in access and excellence, and worked to this end despite opposition from well established quarters. The Irish Times, for example, was critical of her on more than one occasion. She never deflected, however, because she believed in what she was saying and doing. It is appropriate that I should commend her on these admirable qualities.

She has now decided to bring her long and distinguished career to a close. Politics, both national and international, will be the worse for it and Fianna Fáil will regret her departure. More important, the needy and most disadvantaged in our society — those who have dropped out of the system — will suffer the most by her departure. There is no higher tribute I could pay to the Minister of State than this. I salute her as she departs a proud, fulfilling and fulfilled career, and I wish her every success in the future. I am confident she will bring the same professionalism and commitment to excellence to all the new challenges that await her.