Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

On behalf of the Labour Party I extend my sympathies to Ann, their children and Seamus's colleagues in Fianna Fáil. Seamus's death was very untimely at the young age of 60 years. Séamus was young when former Taoiseach Jack Lynch appointed him general secretary. He led the modernisation of the party in the 1970s. He would have enjoyed the recent presidential election in the United States because so many new tactics were used. When he was over there studying the 1976 election he learned much, which he brought back and used very successfully in the election campaign of 1977 when Fianna Fáil was returned to power with an increase of 20 seats. He was well known as a master tactician and had a lifelong interest in the study of politics. He first ran for election in 1981 and since then he fought and won nine consecutive general elections. His election machine was formidable and my colleagues who have run against him tell me one had to be up very early in the morning to catch Séamus out. He recently got a result as high as 13,000 votes. It is a testament to his ability as a politician, his dedication to his job, the support and commitment of his family and his commitment to his constituency of Dublin South.

My colleagues found him very willing to engage in discussions and liaise with us on various levels and to discuss differences of opinion, especially when he was Chief Whip. He never had a bad word to say about his colleagues in the Dáil or the Seanad and he will be remembered for that. He took on his Government duties with dignity, panache and enthusiasm. He will also be remembered for that. He will be sadly missed by Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas, as he will be in his constituency. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.