Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last night I was looking at some speeches on the Oireachtas website going back to the 1970s, when Bernard McGlinchey's contributions were being made in the House. On one occasion, when Fianna Fáil were in opposition, there was a confrontation with the then Leas-Chathaoirleach and Bernard was asked to leave the Chamber. A vote was taken and passed, but Bernard still would not leave the Chamber. He said that the only way he would leave the Chamber was by being carried out. That shows his determination. He did not want to let the people of Donegal down. He wanted to make sure his voice was heard, but suffice to say that he did leave the Chamber. He was a passionate, determined, energetic, loyal member of Fianna Fáil, and it is only right that we pay respect to his contribution today.

He was also a great community man and above all, was most at home in his native Letterkenny. His huge contribution to the development of Donegal's primary town is there today for all to see. He was deeply involved in the development of Letterkenny General Hospital and Letterkenny Institute of Technology in the 1970s, the decentralisation of the initial part of the social welfare office to Letterkenny, and the acquisition of land beside St. Conal's Hospital for a town park, which opened in 1999 and is justifiably named as Bernard McGlinchey Park.

Bernard was an exceptionally determined and dedicated public representative, who was always available to meet constituents, individuals, families and any community group or organisation in County Donegal and nationally. His life's labours are now at a close. His final resting place is in Conwal on the Church Hill Road, a few miles outside his beloved Letterkenny. The political battles and the arguments have faded into memory, and he had quite a few of those during his lifetime, being here during the arms trial. He engaged in negotiations at that time in Donegal and at a national level. He steered Clement Coughlan to victory in a by-election in Donegal in 1980, and had it not been for his contribution at that time, many people say that Clement Coughlan's victory may not have been as fruitful as it was.

His contribution to Donegal politics and national politics makes us all proud to have known Bernard McGlinchey.

The legacy of men and women like him is their fundamental guiding commitment to public service. Those of us who answer the call to work for the greater good in public life can draw inspiration from the example given by the noble endeavour of those who have gone before us.

I trust that Kathleen Sweeney, who was so good to Bernard down through the years, his beloved McGlinchey family and his wide circle of friends, and all who worked for him, canvassed for him and who were involved with him in the Fianna Fáil organisation, can draw strength from the knowledge that he made a imprint on public and community life in the country. He definitely has left his imprint on Seanad Éireann. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal. Tá suil agam go bhfuil Bernard McGlinchey linn inniu in spirit. I hope that his spirit is listening today. I am sure that himself and people like Neil and Harry Blaney, and other Donegal greats like Cathal and Clement Coughlan, are in Heaven debating today. If they are looking in on us I hope that they are well. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad go leir.