Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group I express our deep sympathy to the family of the late Myles Staunton, his wife Marianne, Ruth, Elizabeth, Hugh, Myles and Aoife who are in the Visitors' Gallery. He is also survived by his brothers Hugh, Patrick, John and Neil to whom we express our deep sympathy.

I had the honour of serving in the House during the 1989-92 period, referred to by the Leader, when the then Senator Staunton was an active member. Outside politics he was a vibrant lively personality. I do not believe that at any time he allowed his political affiliations to inhibit the manner in which he would reach out to people across the political divide. That was one of his great qualities and, perhaps, one of the reasons he was so successful not only in politics but in the wider area of commercial life. It was in the genes as he came from a very distinguished family in Westport going back to the turn of the previous century. I read a little about his family background. His grandfather, who was also Myles Staunton, was a leading member of the United Irish League, a movement determined to end the inequalities of colonial landlordism. It is extraordinary that in our own families we are influenced to a large extent by those who have gone before us.

As the Leader pointed out, former Senator Staunton was not only a successful politician but, perhaps, a more successful businessman. He had the rare ability to pull people together and identify possibilities for his own area and was mainly responsible for bringing a large number of jobs to Westport and west Mayo. At a time when it was not politically correct to do so, he was a strong supporter of Knock airport. A former Taoiseach, John Bruton, made the point that he was a convinced and convincing advocate of viable, commercial and privately run economic development in the west, a strong supporter in the Seanad of Knock airport and held his own in every argument with those who questioned the vital link for all of Connacht in everything he attempted. He was relentless in pursuing his goals and was never discouraged by the setbacks sometimes inflicted upon him by myopic bureaucracy. That sums up the determination Myles Staunton had in everything he brought to bear on his life.

I was struck by another aspect of his life, the Leader mentioned the globalised nature of his activities. He was one of the pioneers of the Euro-Arab dialogue and led a visit by Irish Deputies and Senators to Lebanon and Syria in 1974. The Taoiseach who is a first cousin of the Senator, through his wife Fionnuala, was on the visit. That is interesting in light of all that has happened in respect of Syria. I was struck by a comment made in tribute by the then Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Councillor Teresa McGuire, which sums up the essence of Myles Staunton. She said Westport has lost one of its finest statesmen. A politician always thinks of the next election while statemen, like Myles, think of the next generation. Myles Staunton was ahead of his time. He was an advocate of alternative energy and the harnessing of our natural resources before the green agenda existed.

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group I express our deepest sympathy to the family on the loss of a husband, father and grandfather and the wider political community - Ireland has lost a great man. Ní raibh a leithéid ann arís. I express my sympathies to his wife, Marianne, Ruth, Elizabeth, Hugh, Myles junior, who continues in the family tradition, Aoife, and his brothers Hugh, Patrick, John and Neil.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.