Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Leas-Chathaoirleach, I would also like to be associated with the tributes to the late Dr. Edward Haughey, who was a Member of this House from December 1994 to 2002. As has already been said, he was appointed by two different taoisigh, the late Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern. I will not go over the salient, interesting and important points made by many of the speakers today on both sides of the House but if memory serves me correctly, there is a west Cork dimension to the appointment of the late Dr. Haughey.

If memory serves me correctly, there is a west Cork dimension to the appointment of the late Senator Haughey. I am subject to correction but I believe my memory is not dim yet. I was in the Seanad up to January 2002 and lost out, which is part of politics, but in the spring of that year a young man from west Cork was appointed to this House. The appointment of Brian Crowley, MEP, was an important one because he was the first person in a wheelchair in the Seanad. He has gone a long way since then. In the summer of 1994, Brian Crowley, MEP, was elected to Europe with a phenomenal vote. The arising vacancy allowed the then Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, to appoint Edward Haughey as Senator.

I have a speech but I do not usually stick to a speech when I know someone. I was in the Seanad with Senator Edward Haughey as I was re-elected in 1997 until 2002. I attended at least one of the renowned parties to which Senator Quinn referred. I will say no more about that. It was enjoyable to say the least.

I have an abiding memory of the late Senator Haughey. As one speaker said, he was not a person who came to the Chamber every morning and spoke on the Order of Business. He spoke when he had something to say, which was not frequently, perhaps once a month. From my conversations with him I am aware that he was an astute listener to what was going on in the Seanad. He met people and heard what Members on all sides had to say. He listened. One of the biggest criticisms levied at me by a friend of mine in politics many years ago is that my one problem was that I do not listen. To be successful in politics one must listen to what is being said. That is true on both sides of the Border. Senator Haughey moved the peace process into the Chamber through his influence in business and otherwise. My abiding memory is that he was a man who had achieved huge success as an entrepreneur. He did not need the Seanad from the point of view of income, but he was appointed on two occasions and made an excellent contribution. He was one of the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle of the peace process. He was an honest broker who listened in a quiet and unassuming way and took the message back to the North.

That is my memory of him. I am pleased to be present to convey my sincere sympathy to his wife, Lady Ballyedmond, his sons, daughter Caroline, and his extended family and friends. As one speaker said, we are present to commemorate his contribution to Seanad Éireann. It is a sad loss but it is also a celebration. Before I conclude we will stand for a minute’s silence and say a prayer or whatever else people wish to do.