Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Seán O'Leary, a former Senator and High Court judge. He served as a Senator on two separate occasions and his passing will be mourned because he certainly died before his time. There was a number of times in a row when the Seanad sat for only six months and I served in one of those periods with Mr. O'Leary. I was always struck by his practical approach to all matters and the way he cut through humbug, palaver or whatever one might call it.

I later had occasion to observe this at first hand when I became responsible for the Department of Public Enterprise. Mr. O'Leary had been appointed by a previous Government to be the judge presiding over the Luas investigations, but the General Secretary of the Department, seeking to do the right thing, stated that he expected the new Government to have its own nomination. I indicated that I would like Mr. Seán O'Leary to continue in his post and I wrote inviting him to continue his work on the Luas investigations, which had been set up and adjourned. He replied with a brief and witty letter, stating he was surprised but honoured and that he would continue his work.

I should tell the House how wonderful he was when dealing with that investigation. He sat in his chamber, which I believe was over Heuston Station, with a secretary from the Department. When people argued that their gardens would be affected or reverberations would be felt in their houses he went to visit those houses and walked the part of the line affected. If he felt the people concerned had a case, he offered them a certain amount of money and that was then end of the matter. I did not receive a letter of complaint on the matter and neither did anyone else. He dealt with everyone with a fairness of manner and breadth of vision. I was told by a person who works in these Houses that he was seen prowling around the back of a house one night walking on the land pertaining to a complaint. The investigation team had amazing powers which he exercised fully. The result was everybody accepting his dictum. He was able to give the good and the bad story to people and had qualities of serving.

I wrote to him in thanks when the process finished and he replied with a most charming letter, stating his hope that everyone travelling on the Luas would have good and happy journeys, which has been the case. That wisdom and experience gained from the process would have served him well when he went on to the Circuit Court and High Court benches. He was a wonderful and an amazing person, being very practical, ordinary, down to earth and full of common sense. Even in the six months I served with him in the Seanad I can remember those qualities with startling quality. Hence I was able to decide very quickly who should chair the Luas investigation team.

His family must be devastated by his loss. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and children Margaret, Anne, Patrick, Mary and Catherine, as well as sisters and a brother. He did an amazing service with the valedictory papers he left behind which were written about and produced after his death. He asked that these would await his passing.

He also chaired the Residential Institutions Redress Board responsible for compensating the victims of abuse in State orphanages and I would like to think his same practicality and common sense shone through what must have been very difficult discussions on those matters. The judicial world will miss him greatly.

He gave fine service to this Chamber and on behalf of my party I express sympathy to his wife and family. I also express my gratitude for his many services to not only the Houses of the Oireachtas but also to the State.