David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Sinn Féin Party I extend my sympathies to Sam's family and welcome his three daughters, Marion, Elaine and Angela, to the Visitors Gallery.
I will start by quoting my party colleague and Stormont Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, when she spoke about Sam following his death:

His artistic contributions served to enrich life not only in the north but across Ireland and beyond. He added a splash of colour with his wit and storytelling.

The same sentiment has been echoed by many Senators who knew him personally. I did not know him personally but have heard a lot about him. Many acts of reconciliation are taking place on the island of Ireland at the moment which benefit us all. If we look back on the history of the Seanad, especially the contribution made by people like Sam and others who came from the North and a different tradition, a Unionist tradition, they were able to take their seats in this Parliament in the Republic, which was, in its own way, an act of reconciliation at a time when we had a conflict on this island. Sam's contribution to the Seanad was very progressive which should be celebrated by his family, and certainly celebrated by all of us.
Sam represents the very complex issue of nationality, identity and how people see themselves in the North. We have reached a situation where it is accepted that people can see themselves as Irish, people can see themselves as British or people can be both. That is the Ireland we all want to live in.
The Leader will be aware of the debates we have had in the House on Seanad reform and wanting a more inclusive and reformed Seanad in this State. I firmly believe that citizens in the North should have a vote in Seanad elections which would be a further act of reconciliation. It is to be hoped we will see more people from the Unionist community represented in institutions here in this State. We can look at the example given by the Assembly, at the moment, where people from different traditions work together in the best interests of citizens. I hope, as an Irish republican, that we can progress towards a united Ireland, but we must always ensure people who see themselves as British have their rights respected. It is important to say that they have as much right to be part of the Parliament in this State as we do.
Sam was a member of both the trade union movement and the Northern Ireland Labour Party. As other speakers have said, he turned to writing and became a well-regarded and popular storyteller and author. What he said when he was appointed to the Seanad has been quoted already but is worth repeating: "I am a hybrid unionist in that I am happy to live in the United Kingdom but I am happier still to be Irish and to proclaim my Irishness." He was also a supporter of the peace process and went on to say:

As I stated on the day of my election, it is my dearest wish to see this island inhabited by 5 million Irish people, living in two jurisdictions with consent, but with institutions established to emphasise their Irishness.

We can all learn lessons in, say the debate in the North on flags and emblems, from his generosity and forward-thinking.

I express my sympathies to the McAughtry family who have come to the Seanad today to hear these tributes. For anyone who is a supporter of the peace process and has progressive views like Sam’s, we need to continue to build a more inclusive and better Ireland for all those who live here.