John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Civil Engagement group, I express my sympathy and appreciation for the life, work and example of the late Maurice Hayes. Twice in my life I came under his influence. I know now that one of those occasions was on 24 September 1961, the Sunday when Down beat Offaly by the narrowest of margins of one point. I was a little five year old at mass when a villainous and humorous neighbour of mine kept whispering into my ear, "Up Down, up Down." I did not know what "Down" was, but I knew what "up-down" meant. To have a bit of variety in the Latin responses, I said, "up Down." In the early 2000s, when he was a Member of the Seanad, he attended a meeting in Tullamore, County Offaly which coincidentally was about people with disabilities, personal assistants, education and such matters. He was there to speak, but one knew the whole time that he was a listener. As I said before, he knew the ratio of ears to mouth. One listens more than one speaks. I often think that is something of which those of us involved in politics need to ever remind ourselves. Otherwise he would have been a quiet, episodic presence in my life.

A range of things have been mentioned. Maurice Hayes started adult life as a teacher. He was also a town clerk and the Northern Ireland Ombudsman. Other Members have gone through the long litany. He orchestrated that victory. Coming from County Tipperary, I have to underline, in particular, his ability in and love of hurling. His work on policing, at the National Forum on Europe, with the Ireland Funds, etc. has been mentioned. He had a very varied life. I have not mentioned his family, including his grieving wife, Joan, and other family members. What gave his life cohesion and made it a story to be reflected on and learned from? He was a quiet person, a listener, with a quiet determination guided by principle or principles. As has been said, he had a pluralist and inclusive vision of society and community. As Senator McDowell said, he understood the real issue as being one of reconciliation. To be serious for one moment, I hope reconciliation on the issue of Seanad reform will break out between Senators Coghlan and McDowell. I guess Maurice Hayes trusted in the simple example of how he lived his life. That is a thought I have about him. He got on and did things with a good heart, good spirit and out of a sense of principle and public duty. They add up. If it is of any comfort to his family, as someone who was never close to him, I felt his presence throughout the decades. He popped up in different places at different times, but there was always the quiet persona. He was always listening and trying to find the way through.

Occasions such as this in the Seanad are precious and powerful, certainly for me and I think colleagues too, to reflect on the things about which we get overly bothered, as distinct from what our lives and public service should be about. Maurice Hayes continues to be a guide for us . He can truly and easily rest in peace after his lifetime of service to his community. Those who were close to him, loved him and still love him miss him everyday. They will miss those idiosyncrasies, although I do not know what they are or were. They will miss those things, those turns of phrases, what would give him joy or perhaps annoy him. We cannot take the sting out of what they will feel every day and every night. All others here and I can do is say he lived a good life and left not only a legacy to his family but to all of us. May he rest in peace. God bless you all.