Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This afternoon in Helen's Bay, County Down, the funeral will take place of Sir George Quigley. He was one of the finest public servants of the island of Ireland that one could find in either jurisdiction. He was Permanent Secretary at the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. He chaired the review of the Parades Commission between 2001-02 which was a notable contribution to removing tension from the matter. In 2009, Sir George was one of two independent witnesses who were called upon to verify the decommissioning of weapons by the Ulster Defence Association. He is remembered by the Sir George Quigley Award awarded each year to cross-Border groups operating in the community and voluntary sector. More recently he chaired an industrial task force that recommended the extension of our 12.5% corporate tax rate which the Government defended so strongly to the entire island.

As the Leas-Chathaoirleach knows, the promotion of relations between the two communities was one of the functions that Arthur Griffith and President De Valera had in mind when they established the House. I cannot think of a better person who embodied that aim than Sir George Quigley. I ask the Leader to convey our sympathies to his widow, Lady Moira, and our appreciation of his immense contribution to all of the island.