Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

On behalf of the Green Party I wish to pay our respects to the family of former President Patrick Hillery, and to pay tribute to Dr. Hillery himself, who was a very fine Irish statesman and a committed public servant. Perhaps the most outstanding tribute one can pay to a former eminent public representative such as Dr. Hillery, who held so many positions of importance, including TD for Clare, Ministers for Education, Industry and Commerce, Labour and Foreign Affairs, the first Irish vice-presidency of the then Commission of the European Communities, and ultimately the Presidency of Ireland, is that he was a modest, decent and unassuming man. Such qualities are indeed admirable in somebody who occupied the pre-eminent positions he did. Perhaps this is why he is held in such high regard by the Irish public and by his former colleagues and friends.

Dr. Hillery's mild-mannered demeanour, however, was underpinned by a steely resolve when it came to defending what he believed constituted the public interest. It has been widely acknowledged that he did the democratic institutions of this State considerable service in years when the separation of powers was tested to potential breaking point. He rose to the challenge of each occasion and his judgments were later clearly vindicated.

The three specific interventions in Irish public life for which Dr. Hillery will be remembered include one when he was Minister for External Affairs at a divisive time in his party in the immediate wake of the Northern Troubles and the arms crisis, in which he played a key role between the emerging factions in the party. He made, as most people are aware, a defining speech at the most memorable Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis in 1971 when he was asked by the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, to speak to the delegates. He will be remembered also for the role he played as Commissioner for Social Affairs after Ireland's entry to what was then the EEC, when he demonstrated his independence once again by refusing to bow to pressure from the coalition Government to grant Ireland a derogation from the equal pay directive for budgetary reasons. The most critical test of his independence came during his second term as President, when he was put under strong pressure not to grant the then Taoiseach a dissolution of the Dáil in 1982. He did not allow himself to be suborned at this difficult time in Irish political life.

Dr. Hillery displayed great courage in defence of constitutional principles over two decades and had a profound influence on political life in this country. He also made a great personal sacrifice by taking over the highest office in the land when asked to do so although he did not have any clear desire to be President of Ireland. His contribution to the development of education in the country in the 1960s was significant and included laying the foundations of the comprehensive school system. He also expanded vocational training, helped to set up the Commission on Higher Education and promoted the OECD investment in education study.

As Minister for Labour he brought forward important legislation dealing with industrial relations and redundancy conditions. The key role that Dr Hillery played as Minister for Foreign Affairs when negotiating Ireland's entry into the EEC was significant. One of the real concerns at the time was that the violence in Northern Ireland might impede entry. However, increasing co-operation between Ireland and Britain meant that fear was not borne out.

As social affairs Commissioner, Dr. Hillery presided over the development of EU social policy from which so many Irish citizens benefit today. He adopted a tough line and refused to allow the Government of the day to get a derogation from the equal pay directive. His spell in Brussels also resulted in improvements for migrant and handicapped workers and the setting up of a combat poverty programme.

On a lighter note, the former President Hillery was once voted the world's sexiest Head of State by readers of the German magazine, Der Spiegel. I believe it is important to remember this also.

Dr Hillery was an exemplary public servant and a role model for us all. He deserves our respect and our gratitude. The Green Party welcomes the opportunity to pay tribute to him in Seanad Éireann today. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.