Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am privileged today to lead the tributes to the former Senator, Dr. Edward Haughey. Sadly, Dr. Haughey passed away after a tragic helicopter accident in Norfolk in the United Kingdom in March 2014. I take this opportunity to express my sympathy and that of the House to all who loved Edward Haughey dearly and, in particular, to his wife, Lady Ballyedmond, and his sons, daughters and close friends who are present in the Chamber this morning. Senator Haughey was a Member of both the 20th and 21st Seanaid, that is, from 1993 to 1997 and from 1997 to 2002, where he made many notable and passionate contributions. Dr. Haughey's political career extended further than his seat here in Seanad Éireann, as he also took a seat on the red benches of the House of Lords. He became one of the first Members in decades to sit in both the British and Irish Parliaments.

As one of the better-known Members of this House, Edward Haughey was not only recognised for his memorable contributions here but also will be remembered for his outstanding business achievements. Seanad Éireann has a notable relationship with Northern Ireland affairs and Dr. Haughey, with so many other Members, championed the cause of Northern Ireland and peace between Northern and Southern Ireland. At a time when Northern Ireland was suffering a bad reputation abroad, the entrepreneur in Dr. Haughey began to shine and he began to invest heavily in industry there. He took over an old factory building and transformed it into a huge pharmaceutical enterprise, namely, Norbrook Laboratories, which is one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world that employs more than 3,000 people across four continents. It is only right in this regard that Edward Haughey will be remembered for bringing significant employment and investment to Northern Ireland during the darkest days of the Troubles.