Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá áthas ormsa freisin seans a bheith agam labhairt inniu faoi Bernard McGlinchey. Is cóir agus ceart go bhfuil seans againn ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl, ní hamháin do Bernard McGlinchey ach don clann agus pobal lena bhain sé. Bíonn an-áthas orm i gcónaí anseo nuair a théann muid siar ar bhóithrín na smaointe. Ní ag smaoineamh ar pholaitíocht an pháirtí atá mé, ach ag smaoineamh ar dhaoine a sheas an fód in am an ghátair, daoine a thug an dea-shampla agus a rinne iarracht cabhair a thabhairt, daoine a bhí flaithiúil. Sin díreach an rud atá ag tarlú anseo inniu agus tá súil agam go leanfaidh an Seanad ar aghaidh leis an nós agus an traidisiún seo.

Tá sé an-simplí dearmad a dhéanamh ar na daoine atá imithe ar shlí na fírinne agus dearmad a dhéanamh ar an dul chun cinn a dhein siad, an feabhas a chur siad ar an saol, na rudaí dearfacha a dhein siad agus ar an treoir a thug siad don phobal. Tá sé an-simplí dearmad a dhéanamh ar na rudaí sin, ach de bharr go bhfuil daoine ag caint futhu anseo inniu, táimid ag foghlaim ó daoine a raibh sár aithne acu ar Bhernard McGlinchey. Níl aon amhras faoi ná go mbeidh caint faoi agus go mbeidh sé i mbéal an phobail an fhad agus a bheidh polaitíocht beo agus bríomhar sa Teach seo.

There is no doubt but that Donegal was a remarkable county in every sense of the word. At times it was a political battleground, but it was also a political nursery and political generator during those years in which Bernard McGlinchey actually served there. For perhaps 20 or 25 years, Donegal was a minuscule version of the political landscape that then existed. I am thinking what a very easy time the Leader has with us now by comparison with those turbulent times. I was wondering how successful we might be if we tried to speak for 12 minutes. The Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach would have a say in that. There is a message in the strategy of filibustering, or otherwise, that existed in the time of Bernard McGlinchey. It is mind-boggling to think that somebody could get up and speak for 12 hours. One wonders how Bernard managed without food, water and so on. It is an indication of the passion that existed in public life. That is why I am very pleased with the tradition and custom we have of paying tribute to those who have gone before us.

In all the time that I have sat here to listen to tributes, I never heard an acrimonious word coming from the political opponents of the deceased. It has always been a matter of leaving partisanship to one side and making an effort in a nice, sincere and genuine way to recall the attributes of the deceased colleague. When Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held in Buncrana on four occasions, I had reason to realise how successful Bernard McGlinchey was in delivering what was required at any given time. There is no doubt but that he was a master when it came to oiling the wheels of the local services and community. Reference has been made to Bernard's entrepreneurship. Let us be fair about it: back in those days, that was the way in which to create jobs. It was not always a question of big industries coming into the country or of expecting that the Government could do something; the work had to be done by oneself. We are all well aware that no matter how successful chambers of commerce might be or how dedicated local trade committees might be, it is always left to one person to put his head above the parapet, put his money where his mouth is, take the risks and try to create jobs. Bernard McGlinchey did so in so many different ways.

We should not skirt around the turbulent times that existed in Northern Ireland and the role that was played by so many people. It was played sincerely, very often from a different perspective. However, there is no doubt but that Bernard McGlinchey was always part of that drama and story. Bernard was a proud Donegal man but also a proud Ulsterman. There is no doubt that if one wanted to be a proactive public representative, one had no choice but to be part of the drama, find solutions and promote peace and justice. It was not always easy because of so many agendas operating at one time. Anybody who knew Bernard would say that what one saw was what one got. I always said the same about Ian Paisley. There was no doubt about what Ian Paisley felt because he said what he felt, irrespective of whether one agreed.

Bernard McGlinchey was very much an iconic figure. He was never too far away from headlines and was always present to express a view. However, that he could enter public life in his 20s, serve for so long in Seanad Éireann and offer such sterling service to his county must be noted.

It is often said that we in political life are too parochial. I do not agree. It is like building a house where what happens in one's constituency is one of the blocks, and if that block is not strong, the foundation is not strong. For any of those in Donegal I have read about, met or heard about, Donegal was their focus. As a result, they also gave ideas to other counties.

The late Bernard McGlinchey was very much part of this story and it is nice for us to be able to say, to his family, extended family, colleagues, all who worked with him and all who still have him in their folk memory, he was shared with the whole nation and it all was not confined to Donegal. Some names crop up in all discussions and when we are reminiscing in years to come, no doubt the late Bernard McGlinchey's name will always be central to any reminiscence, appreciation or acknowledgement which takes place.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.