Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On my behalf and on that of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party, I offer my condolences to the family of the late Jack Fitzsimons, a former Member of this House. To his wife, Anne, his children, Cora, Lana, Lloyd, Emla and Ken, and his grandchildren I offer the collective sympathy of this House and of the people of Meath, many of whom crossed paths with Jack not only through politics but also through his professional career as an architect and businessman in Kells and as a distinguished author.In welcoming Jack's family to the Gallery today, I offer them our sympathies once more. At the time of Jack's passing just over a year ago, I commented that he was one of the most influential people in County Meath in the latter half of the 20th century in the spheres of politics and architecture. We recall the massive funeral that Jack had in Kells last year. I remember thinking at the time that it could be one of the last civic-type funerals to take place in the town, following the abolition of Kells Town Council. The presence of local political representatives meant it was almost like a State funeral in the town. It was absolutely huge. It was a mark of respect to Jack and a sign of the respect in which he was held in the town. In light of the abolition of Kells Town Council, b'fhéidir nach bhfeicfimid a leithéid de shochraid arís.

Jack first came to national prominence in 1971 when he penned Bungalow Bliss, which was to become a best-selling book. As I remarked to Mrs. Anne Fitzsimons, the last person I met in the foyer of the Leinster House 2000 building before I came to the Chamber today asked me what business was taking place in the Seanad this afternoon. When I explained that we were having expressions of sympathy for the late Jack Fitzsimons, the woman in question told me that she got her house from Bungalow Bliss. It is clear, therefore, that Jack enabled a substantial number of people to build houses in the countryside. In many cases, people were able to come out of really bad living conditions by getting these plans at a reasonable cost and furthering their lives and those of their families. The book, which contained more than 75 house designs, was later credited with making the construction of houses more affordable nationally by bringing about reductions in the professional fees that people had to pay to architects and draftsmen. Jack helped thousands of young families throughout the country to construct their homes at much-reduced rates. I understand that Bungalow Blisswas reprinted ten times. More than 250,000 copies of it were sold, which is an indication of the level of interest in it and its popularity.

In 1974, Jack published a comprehensive and detailed history of his native parish of Kilbeg. I have a copy of the book, The Parish of Kilbeg, which was bequeathed to a colleague of mine who keeps it at home. It survives as one of the most informative and illuminating books written in north Meath in the latter part of the 20th century. When one dips into that book, one gets some fascinating insights. I have a huge interest in the Irish language. Jack explains clearly that the etymology or derivation of the placename Staholmog comes from the word "teach" in the Irish language. The manner in which that word used to take an "s" in front of it in the Irish language is peculiar to these surrounds within County Meath and led to placenames like Staholmog, Stagreen, Stameen, Stamullen and Stackallen in the county. Jack wrote a lovely paragraph about this topic, which I certainly find fascinating. His interest in the Irish language was demonstrated in many Seanad debates. As the Leader has said, Jack went on to write many books and essays, including Democracy Be Damned, Bungalow Bashingand New Homes from Old.

I would like to speak about Jack's political career. He was appointed as a peace commissioner by the Minister for Justice in 1973. He was elected to Kells Urban District Council, as it then was, in 1979. He was re-elected in 1985 and became chairman of the council after the local elections of that year. He ran for election to the Seanad in 1981 on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, having been nominated by the Irish Architects Society. When he won a seat in the Seanad in 1983, he was one of three people from Meath and the part of Westmeath that was in Meath at the time to be elected to this House. He was elected to the Seanad along with Donie Cassidy and Michael Lynch from Oldcastle. Jack's relationship with the Fianna Fáil Party was not always harmonious. His resignation in 1989 has been well documented and reported on in the past.

Today we pay tribute to a man of zealous political capability who was prepared to put his way of thinking on the line. He was an extremely principled man. When our Leader mentioned the issue of hare coursing, I recalled a story that Michael Lynch told me about canvassing with Jack in County Tipperary. They were on different panels, so they were not in direct competition with each other. Michael Lynch told me that he begged Jack to tone down his opinions on hare coursing in front of the Tipperary councillors, but he was simply not prepared to do so. He went to Tipperary with what would have been an unpopular viewpoint among Fianna Fáil councillors and refused to set aside the principles to which he was deeply committed. I think that is to be commended, because too often politicians are worried about what people want to hear. Jack certainly did not go with that. With Jack's passing, we have lost one of life's great gentlemen and most colourful characters. We have lost a man of distinction and immense ability. Jack's political life reminds the rest of us who are so lucky and privileged to be elected to these Houses that we must not always follow the herd instinct. We must stand up for what we believe in and, in some cases, disregard our own political ambitions and aspirations for the greater good. Jack was bold, brave and courageous in all facets of his political and personal functions.

In preparation for today's tributes, I read through some of the debates to which Jack contributed as a Member of the Seanad over a six-year period. He made significant contributions to the debates on the Air Pollution Bill 1986, the Building Control Bill 1984 and the Animals Bill 1985. His direct involvement and deep input into the National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 1986 cannot be underestimated and must be remembered. He drew on his professional experience when contributing to that Bill and others. As a Member of this House, Jack spoke on a wide range of topics, including the pollution of our waterways and the role of European law. In March 1986, Jack made an absolutely excellent speech on the use of the Irish language, about which I am passionate. One of the points he made was "ba mhór mar a chuideodh sé leis an teanga náisiúnta a leathadh mar ghnáth-theanga na ndaoine dá mb'eol dóibhsean go raibh an gradam is dual di ag an Ghaeilge i dTithe an Oireachtais". He was saying that if the Irish language was used more often in the Houses of the Oireachtas, it would enjoy much more respect among the public and get much more use among the public. That is certainly something I believe. I think we need to redouble our efforts in this regard. We have done that from time to time here in the Seanad. We have tried to speak Irish not only when debating Gaeilge or Gaeltacht issues, but also in general debates. The point made by Jack in that 1986 debate will stick with me. I will try to implement his vision and influence others to do likewise.

Jack was a role model to the public and to public representatives. He was an extensive legislator as well. His contributions to the drafting of legislation in Seanad Éireann shaped many different areas. It is evident from his speeches that Jack was always aware of the difficulties faced by ordinary working people. The people who benefited from Bungalow Blisswere ordinary working people, by and large. Jack's work made the dream of owning a home much more affordable for them. Following Jack's departure from the Seanad, he remained a consistent advocate for good planning and the preservation of our wildlife heritage. He continued to work tirelessly for the causes he believed in. He also continued to write and publish books. Jack had much to be proud of, including his family, his home and the successful business he set up in Kells. There was much more to the life of Jack Fitzsimons, however. The positive, constructive and innovative contribution he made to public life in Ireland and in the Oireachtas is something to be proud of. I know his family is very proud of Jack's achievements throughout his life.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Jack's deep and profound love for the town of Ceanannus Mór, County Meath, where he lived for most of his life, where he reared his family and where he set up and ran his business. Throughout Jack's professional life and his involvement in many community and voluntary organisations in Ceanannus Mór and throughout County Meath, he was much loved and cherished by the people he encountered. I know for a fact that Jack was respected by his peers, his neighbours, the students of nearly schools and the people of the town as a man of substance, distinction and high estimation. He is sadly missed by his loving family - I know they miss him dearly - and by the community of Ceanannus Mór and beyond. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.