Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have an opportunity to join in the condolences to the Haughey family and in our tributes to the late former Senator Edward Haughey. I served with him on the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and on the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and it is fair to say that he is one of the unsung heroes of the peace process. In politics, and life, the limelight shines on just a few but people like the late former Senator Haughey played a significant role in bringing all traditions on this island together.

His commercial life and record speaks for itself but his political life is also quite fascinating. He was a person who served as a Fianna Fáil nominee in the Seanad and then served another jurisdiction as an Ulster Unionist and a Tory peer. This shows how bridges can be crossed, how divides can be brought together and how politics can bring about real change. Much of the work which has stemmed and flowed from the peace process and the good we see coming from it is the result of the input of people such as the late former Senator Haughey. I know he truly enjoyed his time in this House. I know from my time as co-chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly that he enjoyed his membership of that committee. Along with interesting political characters such as Peter Brooke, Michael Mates and Seamus Mallon, he was a very significant voice on that forum. He was an interesting alternative voice which forced all of us to recognise that life and politics and particularly the British-Irish situation was not as black and white as we sometimes thought. His role was significant and he will be fondly remembered.

His death was a great tragedy but his family can be consoled by thoughts of the significance of his memory. His influence was so strong and, as some of my colleagues who knew him much better pointed out, the charitable work and the benefits which flowed from that are and will be a lifelong monument to his memory. I join in the tributes to a very great man who will be long and fondly remembered.