Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like my colleagues, I am delighted to join in the tributes to the late, great Des Hanafin. In doing so I welcome his wife, Mona, his daughter, Mary, his son, John, and their families to the Chamber.

As has been said, Des succeeded his father, Johnny Hanafin, on North Tipperary County Council in 1955 and went on to be the youngest council chairperson in Ireland for the following four years. He was elected to this House in 1969 and retired from it in 2002. The fact that he was here for almost 30 years places him, as Senator Horkan has suggested, in the top ten people who have served in the Seanad since 1922. That is a great distinction and a great honour to have.

One of his most famous political contributions to the Fianna Fáil Party was having been director of elections in the 1970 by-election, during which he was the director with responsibility for Donegal town. That resulted in him achieving a phenomenal result for the party in Donegal town, so much so that it brought him to the attention of the then leader of our party, Jack Lynch, whom he continued to serve with loyalty until Jack's death. He had the excellent help of his wife, Mona, neé Brady, who I believe has Cavan connections, in his many election campaigns. They divided the country up between the two of them. As a matter of fact, on one occasion I understand that Des almost achieved two quotas and they regretted that the two of them had not run for the same panel on that occasion so that they could have served together in this House. Mona is the only member of the family who, as of yet, has not been elected to the Oireachtas, but I would not rule it out.

Des was a dogged campaigner for the issues which mattered most to him, particularly the protection of life during pregnancy, but he was at all times respectful of the views of others. This won him respect from all sides of the House. He was the last remaining public representative of those who were first elected under Éamon de Valera as Taoiseach. His children, Mary and John, and his nephew, Seamus, continue his legacy in politics and service to their communities to this day, with the encouragement and assistance of their mother, Mona. While Mary and John are both taking a short respite from these Houses, I have no doubt that they will both be back with us soon. I acknowledge the presence of Deputies Jackie Cahill and Mattie McGrath in the Gallery with the Hanafin family. I will sum up by saying that thousands lived, and still live, because Des Hanafin lived. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.