Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá an-áthas orm, dáiríre, go bhfuil an seans seo againn inniu chun ár mbuíochas agus ár meas do Edward Haughey a léiriú. Ba dhuine faoi leith é agus thug sé misneach agus inspioráid dúinn freisin. Down through the years, many distinguished people have served in Seanad Éireann from the worlds of literature, culture, art, sport, agriculture and industry. There is no doubt but that Edward Haughey was foremost among those distinguished people who have served here. He served for two terms, having been appointed by Albert Reynolds and by Bertie Ahern. During his time in the Seanad, he was spokesperson on Northern Ireland, as well as being a member of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.

On looking back through his speeches in the Seanad in recent days, I realise the contribution he made at that time in bringing peace to Northern Ireland because coming from the background from which he came, he brought a unique perspective to Northern Ireland. He had spent a number of years in New York, where he learned so much about what his own future would hold subsequently. When he eventually came back in the late 1960s - at the time as a lone trader - he put into action everything he had learned in America. From that position, Members should consider the current status of Norbrook Laboratories. It employs 2,000 people, not just in the North of Ireland but from both North and South. The value of its exports runs into hundreds of millions of euro at present and its payroll alone is in the region of €75 million and makes a major economic injection into the local economy. I mention this because this was the unique perspective to which I refer, because ultimately, what was important was his political philosophy. He believed that politics was the vehicle towards stability and quality. That was what was important and he had a specific vision of stability and equality. He also believed that each individual should be able to aspire through hard work to improving his or her own lot, as well as that of the nation.

I served with him during his second term in the Seanad and when I look back on his contributions, it always struck me that he was a very focused gentleman. He did not use words lightly, each word was measured, and he always realised the seriousness of the turbulent times being experienced in Northern Ireland during that era in our history. However, with hindsight one can now see the building blocks he put in place to ensure his contribution would provide the stability of which he always thought. He had one great motto in life, which could apply to everyone in this House, as well as to all human beings, and that was that he was elated by success but importantly, he was educated by failure. To me, that encapsulates what all our lives should be but it was important from his perspective that he acted according to the principle. It is one reason he was so admired, not just on this island but internationally as well. I do not believe any person ever achieved so many honorary doctorates as did he both in Ireland and abroad. I was going through the list and he must have at least 30 or 40 exceptionally impressive and significant achievements in his own lifetime. However, he never forgot the spirit of work and did not believe in waste, because he was a determined person and would see opportunities where someone else would not.

At the same time, he always remembered other people.

He was the philanthropist par excellence. We need only look at Dublin alone where he donated £1 million to the new veterinary hospital in the university in Dublin. Interestingly, it is named as a permanent monument to Albert Reynolds because of the work Albert Reynolds did for peace. He donated £1 million to research also. When we weigh and think about the effect that investment of his generosity had on the lives of other people, we conclude it is absolutely unique. It also continues to grow and multiply.

There is no doubt that Lord Ballyedmond was a family man in every sense of the word. I welcome Lady Ballyedmond, Caroline, James, Edward and friends also. It is because he was a family man and the family worked together, encouraged and supported each other that his successes were so huge and important to the lives of so many people. When I realised he was here in the Seanad I often felt there was something particularly generous about the fact that somebody who had so much at his disposal and had already achieved such a strong foundation in his own life, his family and his business was prepared to come in here on a regular basis and at a time when it was most needed to make very focused contributions. That was appreciated by all open-minded and right-thinking people at that particular time.

I listened to Donie Cassidy, who was a former Leader of this House, paying tribute today to the former Senator, Edward Haughey. Donie Cassidy had a wonderful and productive working relationship with Edward in those years. Donie would always remind me that when Edward left this House and went back to Northern Ireland or to any part of the world, he always brought with him the importance of Seanad Éireann and the platform which it gave him. We can use the word "visionary" very lightly. That is true. He was a visionary. There is no doubt. However, he was also - as Edward said in his eulogy - an enigma and a very complex man. Now we have the opportunity of revealing all that to ourselves and putting it on the record of the House. Not only was he a visionary, he was also inspirational and above all else he was an innovator. It is so sad that at the peak of his success, ability and opportunity he should be taken from Lady Ballyedmond and the family. However, I have no doubt - from what I have heard from Donie Cassidy and from what I have read - that the family have a basketful of good memories. The family will have those memories for many years to come. I have no doubt that his legacy will not go unnoticed and that many of the things which he did not complete in his own lifetime will be brought forward.

We are so happy in Ireland today that the peace process is embedded, that it is rooted, and that we are beginning to see the fruits of peace and justice on this island. However, the more we think about it, remember it, celebrate it and commemorate it, the name of Edward Haughey will always be central to that story. That is why I am so pleased, with the Fianna Fáil Party, to have the opportunity to contribute in a small way today. This is a limited time. We have only so many words. How can so much in such a short time be encapsulated? I am very anxious that Edward's family would appreciate that what we are saying is heartfelt. We too have been inspired by him, his life, his words, his actions and his achievements. Please God, we will go forward with that motto - which I mentioned - in all our lives. That we would all be elated by success but that we would also be educated by failure. Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Go raibh ráth Dé ar a anam, agus le cúnamh Dé, he will not be forgotten, not just in this House, but in any part of Ireland or wherever he has worked, practised, served or interacted. There is no doubt about it. He was special and he was extraordinary.