Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and the House I express sympathy at the recent death of Mr. George E. Russell, or Ted Russell, as he was known, who died in Limerick at the advanced age of 92, having been in good health until recently. All Members will know of Ted Russell. While I did not know him, I knew of him. He was elected to the Seanad in 1969 from the industrial and commercial panel. He contested the Seanad election on the administrative panel in 1965. Ted was an Independent Deputy for Limerick East. He contested the Dáil election in that constituency as an Independent in 1967 and as a Fine Gael candidate in the subsequent elections in 1968 and 1973. Earlier in his political career he had been a Clann na Poblachta candidate in Limerick East in the general elections of 1948 and 1951 and a by-election in 1952.

He had considerable experience of public life having served in Clann na Poblachta, Fine Gael and as an Independent, including a number of years here in Seanad Éireann, where I understand he was a fine contributor to debates. His death occurred after a short illness at the age of 92. He was a freeman of the city of Limerick and was a leading businessman and public figure for half a century. He was mayor of the city of Limerick five times, an Independent Member of Dáil Éireann for one term and a Member of Seanad Éireann from 1969 to 1977, which was a considerable spell to have served. I understand he was a prolific contributor to various debates.

He died peacefully and is survived by his wife, Derry, and children, Mary, Margaret, George and Derry. To his wife and family, I offer the sympathies of this House, where he served for so many years with distinction.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On behalf of my party, I express my sympathy to Ted Russell's wife, Derry, and his son and daughters. In my capacity as chairman of the Port of Waterford, I had the pleasure of knowing Ted Russell when he was chairman of Limerick Harbour Commissioners. He held that post for 26 years and was a member of that body for more than 40 years. As the Leader stated, he played a very active role in the business and commercial life of his native city of Limerick.

Representing Fine Gael he was elected to Seanad Éireann on the industrial and commercial panel and served from 1969 to 1977. He was also an Independent Member of the Dáil and stood as a Clann na Poblachta candidate in two general elections and a by-election. He took great pride in being appointed a freeman of his native city of Limerick. He was chairman of the Silvermines Group and was involved in many other companies during his life. As a Limerick man he was very interested in rugby and was a member of the Bohemians rugby football club in Limerick in whose achievements he took great pride. He was also a great follower of Munster rugby throughout the years. He will be sadly missed by our party in Limerick, where was a stalwart for many years.

To Ted's wife, Derry, and his family we extend our deep and sincere sympathy. He was quite well and active until a few weeks ago and, following a short illness, died peacefully.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We on the Independent benches wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy and extend our condolences to the family of the late former Senator Russell. None of us, unfortunately, served with him. I met him on one occasion but his name was so synonymous with Limerick over the years that even people outside the city recognise it immediately. As we always say on these occasions, his level of service to the public displayed his obvious commitment. His search for a place in politics, moving from Clann na Poblachta to Fine Gael to Independent and back, demonstrates that he was a man who thought long and hard about where his place was. He made a great contribution, going from citizen to mayor to freeman of the city, an extraordinary achievement.

He would have been more than disappointed had he seen the one-sided, biased and partial view of his native city that was presented on RTE on Monday night. People like Ted Russell struggled over the years to give a good impression of the city of Limerick. He helped to turn that city around, building new shopping areas and extending it to become a fine city of culture, concert halls and sport. He would have been taken aback by the image of the city broadcast on television on Monday.

We extend our sympathies to his wife, children and extended family.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When we lose a colleague from politics who has served so long and in such a colourful manner, someone we identified with Limerick, it is difficult to think of an appropriate phrase. At this time, we should pay tribute to Senator Russell and to the service performed by him and by people like him. He was a man who spent all of his life in politics, giving service to society and we pay tribute to that as much as to the individual. His family will miss him, his city will miss him and once again we pay tribute to a person who chose to plough the furrow of public service where there is inevitably more grief than gratitude. At least we can always recognise the qualities in our colleagues.

On behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to be associated with the tributes paid here this morning.

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I would like to be associated with this tribute to the late Ted Russell and extend our sympathy to his family and friends in Limerick.

It is common on these occasions to remark on the service of former Members but his is a remarkable record by any standards. Mr. Russell was a member of Limerick City Council for 37 years, served as mayor on five occasions and was a Member of both the Dáil and the Seanad. He was also a long-standing member of the chamber of commerce in the city and he was a director of many prominent companies. He was a central figure to the life of Limerick and surrounding areas.

He was an accomplished rugby player and a member of Bohemians rugby club from the 1930s. He got a final Irish trial and played for Munster before the Second World War. If it had not been for the intervention of the war, he would probably have gone on to greater representative honours. He donated land at Barrington's pier for a public park. From speaking to people over the past days, I understand he did a lot of charitable work in the city, much of it not recognised publicly but of benefit to people with very little.

For all of those reasons we should mark his passing and extend our sympathies to his family.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As a fellow Limerick man, I too want to join in the tributes. Mr. Russell's service to Limerick as a politician, employer and sportsman was second to none. Limerick docks are dedicated to Mr. Russell to mark his 26 year service to Limerick Harbour Commissioners. During his tenure as mayor in the 1950s he played a key role in re-activating the drive to establish a university in Limerick. As a businessman he oversaw the development of significant businesses such as the Silvermines Group, National Food Ingredients and Dan O'Connor Limited, a livestock feed supplier. Having been a dairy farmer myself, I was one of his valued customers.

In recognition of the contribution he made to Limerick, he was made a freeman of the city, an honour he deserved. He had many and varied interests. He served as chairman of the Irish Cancer Society, he had a lifelong association with Bohemians rugby club, played for Munster and was capped for Ireland. He was captain of Bohemians rugby team in the 1936-7 season. He was a director and president of the chamber of commerce and was deeply involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Russell often. I always looked forward to meeting him and chatting about politics or business life in the city. His company was first class. His family will mourn and Limerick will feel his loss.

To his wife, Derry, and children, Mary, Margaret, George and Derry, I offer my sincerest sympathy on their sad loss.