Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar an gcéad dul síos agus mar fhocal scoir, ar mo shon féin agus ar son an Tí, ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a ghabháil do theaghlach an Dochtúra John Robb agus go mór mór cuirim fáilte roimh a chlann, William agus Martha agus Niamh, bean chéile William, agus bronnaim mo chomhbhrón ar Silvia, a bhean chéile. Cén cineál duine a bhí in John Robb? Fear uasal, fear síochánta, fear polaitiúil, dochtúir, fear agus fear chéile a bhí ann agus go mór mór, fear a raibh radharc d'Éire nua aige.

In remembering John Robb today, those who did not know him have recognised and admired the work he did as a doctor, a politician and a citizen. Táimid ag céilliúradh a shaol, a life well lived. We send our sympathies to William, Martin and Niamh, who are here today, and to his wife, Sylvia. In remembering, let us cast our minds back to when John Robb was a Member of this House. We are fortunate today that we have peace and reconciliation on this island. We can celebrate Senator Ó Donnghaile and Senator Marshall being here without really making much of it. John Robb was appointed to the Seanad at a time of great conflict in our country. What he did and what he stood for should never be forgotten in the history of this House or the history of Ireland. I do not say that lightly. As Senator Mark Daly rightly said, we remember his acceptance of the invitation to become a Member of Seanad Éireann and what that represented and stood for at a time of great uncertainty in our country. He had a professional career, a personal life and a political life. He married these together and wove them into a life that had a vision of peace and reconciliation, and of all of us coexisting without being worried about whether we wore a green, orange or white jersey, what our religious hue or background was or where we came from. The work he did as a medical man, the people he met and how he met them shaped his life and his vision. We should always remember and reflect on history so that we can learn from it for the future. Today, all of us on this island have an obligation to the legacy of John Robb to remember what he did, his dialogue and engagement, and what he represented. Mary McAleese spoke about building bridges but we could argue that it was Dr. John Robb who began the bridge-building, opening of minds and the changing of a cultural attitude, be it through the peace train or whatever. We remember him and are grateful for his service in this House. We thank him for accepting the invitations of two Taoisigh.

When we look at the New Ireland Forum report and what has thankfully happened in our country, we are lucky and privileged to be in a position as Members of this House to express our gratitude to John Robb and his family for the sacrifices he made, his ability to reach out and for the promotion of a new type of Ireland which we have today, an inclusive one. I thank his family for being here. I thank Senator Norris and other Members of the House for organising the visit and the tributes today. I am conscious that, as Senator Craughwell said, níl sé básaithe ach ag fás i bParthas na nGrás. In remembering John Robb, our duty is to continue his work.