Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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We will now hear expressions of sympathy on the death earlier this year of the former Senator Bernard McGlinchey.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I am privileged to lead the tributes today to the late former Senator Bernard McGlinchey, who passed away in April. I express my sincere sympathies and those of the House with all his family and friends, who I am sure miss him dearly. Bernard served in the House for 21 years from 1961 to 1982 on the industrial and commercial panel and the administrative panel.

He also served as a nominee of the Taoiseach on two occasions.

As a Senator, Bernard once spoke for 12 hours on the Livestock Marts Bill 1967 in this Chamber, which is a record for the longest contribution in a debate in the Seanad. Bernard was a champion within the Fianna Fáil Party, serving as a councillor and contesting Dáil elections on the party's behalf. Bernard was very much admired by his constituents in his home county of Donegal. Alongside his fruitful political career, he was also a successful businessman, perhaps best known for his venture in the Golden Grill nightclub in Letterkenny, which I understand was a significant landmark on the Donegal social scene. As a businessman, Bernard contributed significantly to his area, something for which he will be remembered fondly and which is acknowledged in Letterkenny, where the town park was named after him.

I extend my sympathy once again to his family and friends, and to his Fianna Fáil colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil deis againn ómós a chur in iúl don obair agus don saothar a chur Bernard McGlinchey ar fáil ní hamháin i gContae Dhún na nGall agus ina bhaile dúchais, Leitir Ceanainn, ach fosta go náisiúnta ina ról mar Seanadóir sa Teach seo, mar a dúirt Ceannaire an tSeanaid. Duine díograiseach ab ea Bernard McGlinchey. D'oibrigh sé go crua. D'fhás sé aníos in am deacair sa Stát seo, am a bhí crua nuair nach raibh an oiread sin airgead thart. Bhí sé i gcónaí ar fáil le tacaíocht a thabhairt do gach duine a tháinig chuige. D'oibrigh sé chun fostaíocht ar fáil, mar a dúirt an Ceannaire. Ghlac sé a ról go coinsiasach i dtaca leis an mbunchloch nó bunphrionsabal a bhí aige - seirbhís dhílis a chur ar fáil dá lucht leanúna agus do phobal Dhún na nGall.

Today is a sad occasion of reflection on the life and contributions of the late former Senator, councillor and businessman, Bernard McGlinchey, who sadly passed away on 11 April 2013. Bernard McGlinchey was born on 18 October 1932, and the one thing I shared with him was that I was born on 18 October as well, although not in the same year. I did not know that until-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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You are wearing well, Senator.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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Go raibh maith agat. Bernard McGlinchey was born in a different era and in the first year that Éamon de Valera led a Government into power, which is a coincidence as Fianna Fáil political blood ran through his veins. The Cumann na nGaedheal Government had been in power for a number of years, but in 1932 Fianna Fáil won the general election and a coalition Government was established. Bernard McGlinchey was born a few short months after the formation of the first Fianna Fáil Government of the State.

Bernard spent almost five decades as a member of Donegal County Council and Letterkenny Town Council, as well as 20 years as a member of Seanad Éireann. Bernard served in the ninth, tenth, 11th, 12th, 13th and 15th Seanaid between the years of 1961 and 1983. Bernard was elected to Letterkenny Town Council in 1955 at the young age of 23, and he went on to run for Donegal County Council in 1961, when he was elected. This showed that Bernard's contribution to both councils was significant, as the people re-elected him on each occasion.

As a businessman, he founded the Golden Grill nightclub in Letterkenny, but it was much more than that. It was a place where people came together and where politics was done. It was renowned in Donegal as being the Oireachtas of Donegal. During his business days, Bernard provided much-needed local employment in Letterkenny. Victor Fisher, who is a long serving member of Letterkenny Town Council, worked for Bernard McGlinchey down through the years, but cannot be here today. In those days the country was going through a period of transformation and the disco era was coming to the fore. Bernard was ahead of the curve in moving from the old dance hall entertainment venues into the new nightclub venues. He was a visionary entrepreneur as well as a visionary public servant. He was a member of the North-Western Health Board and he also served for a short period as a member of the Council of Europe.

He was a big and burly character, always smoking the pipe. In most photographs of Bernard, the pipe is always to the fore. His immense physical presence was matched with his oratorical power. Bernard was a very strong political figure, not only in Donegal, but indeed nationally during some of the most turbulent political days the State has endured. Bernard holds the record for the longest speech here in Seanad Éireann during the marts Bill. The record for the second longest speech is also held by Bernard McGlinchey, when he spoke for eight and a half hours on 18 May 1975 on the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Bill 1975. I wonder what the Leader would do if one of us tried to speak for that length of time.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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He would never get it past the Order of Business.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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Last night I was looking at some speeches on the Oireachtas website going back to the 1970s, when Bernard McGlinchey's contributions were being made in the House. On one occasion, when Fianna Fáil were in opposition, there was a confrontation with the then Leas-Chathaoirleach and Bernard was asked to leave the Chamber. A vote was taken and passed, but Bernard still would not leave the Chamber. He said that the only way he would leave the Chamber was by being carried out. That shows his determination. He did not want to let the people of Donegal down. He wanted to make sure his voice was heard, but suffice to say that he did leave the Chamber. He was a passionate, determined, energetic, loyal member of Fianna Fáil, and it is only right that we pay respect to his contribution today.

He was also a great community man and above all, was most at home in his native Letterkenny. His huge contribution to the development of Donegal's primary town is there today for all to see. He was deeply involved in the development of Letterkenny General Hospital and Letterkenny Institute of Technology in the 1970s, the decentralisation of the initial part of the social welfare office to Letterkenny, and the acquisition of land beside St. Conal's Hospital for a town park, which opened in 1999 and is justifiably named as Bernard McGlinchey Park.

Bernard was an exceptionally determined and dedicated public representative, who was always available to meet constituents, individuals, families and any community group or organisation in County Donegal and nationally. His life's labours are now at a close. His final resting place is in Conwal on the Church Hill Road, a few miles outside his beloved Letterkenny. The political battles and the arguments have faded into memory, and he had quite a few of those during his lifetime, being here during the arms trial. He engaged in negotiations at that time in Donegal and at a national level. He steered Clement Coughlan to victory in a by-election in Donegal in 1980, and had it not been for his contribution at that time, many people say that Clement Coughlan's victory may not have been as fruitful as it was.

His contribution to Donegal politics and national politics makes us all proud to have known Bernard McGlinchey.

The legacy of men and women like him is their fundamental guiding commitment to public service. Those of us who answer the call to work for the greater good in public life can draw inspiration from the example given by the noble endeavour of those who have gone before us.

I trust that Kathleen Sweeney, who was so good to Bernard down through the years, his beloved McGlinchey family and his wide circle of friends, and all who worked for him, canvassed for him and who were involved with him in the Fianna Fáil organisation, can draw strength from the knowledge that he made a imprint on public and community life in the country. He definitely has left his imprint on Seanad Éireann. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal. Tá suil agam go bhfuil Bernard McGlinchey linn inniu in spirit. I hope that his spirit is listening today. I am sure that himself and people like Neil and Harry Blaney, and other Donegal greats like Cathal and Clement Coughlan, are in Heaven debating today. If they are looking in on us I hope that they are well. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad go leir.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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On behalf of the Labour Party group in the Seanad I join in the expression of condolences to the family and friends of the late Bernard McGlinchey who died in April. As others have said, he was a long-serving Senator for Fianna Fáil and served from 1961 to 1982. I did not know him. I know, having listened to the tributes paid to him and reading some of his obituaries, that he was a legend in Letterkenny and Donegal. He was very well established in the Fianna Fáil Party in the county. He was also a Senator who served over different periods, both as an elected member and as a Taoiseach's nominee. He had a very long career in the Seanad and other Senators have spoken of some of his work in the Seanad. The point that stood out in his obituaries is his record for speaking for 12 hours on the marts Bill. It is an extraordinary achievement by any standard and certainly by today's standards. I am glad that nobody has tried to beat his record during the current session of the Seanad.

On a serious note, I extend condolences and sympathies, on behalf of the Labour Party group, to his family and wide circle of friends and connections in Donegal.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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I have known Bernard McGlinchey all of my life and since I was born. Today it is my greatest political privilege, since my election in 2002, to pay tribute to him. To me and many people in the north west, particularly in Donegal, he was a giant of political life. As I have said, I have known him since I was born. He used to kid me many years ago by saying "I changed your nappy." With respect to him, I doubt that he changed many nappies and I am not sure that he changed mine.

Bernard had a fantastic career over the years, as Senator Ó Domhnaill has eloquently expressed. His contribution is simply second to none in the context of delivery for the north west of the country on issues such as health and the national question. His contribution to debates ensured that the needs of his part of the country were looked after. To this day we still debate the need to have equality of access to services and so on but Bernard McGlinchey and others were the pioneers in that area.

My father, Ray MacSharry, was in the Dáil at the same time Bernard was in the Seanad and they shared a house. Over the years many members of the Houses have stayed in a house on Clareville Road in Harold's Cross. Bernard McGlinchey always made sure that if there was anything on offer, through the various Ministers who shared the same lodgings, Donegal and the north west got its fair share. Senator Ó Domhnaill has rightly pointed out that Letterkenny General Hospital, Letterkenny Institute of Technology and the Department of Social Welfare offices are all part of Bernard McGlinchey's legacy. It is rare to see political acknowledgment from the Opposition, one's colleagues and so on with a tribute being paid by way of naming a street or park after a person. He worked so hard to provide a park in Letterkenny. It is great credit to Bernard McGlinchey that the park has been named after him with the agreement of all political colleagues on all sides. It represents a small example and testament to a lifetime of effective representation and delivery for all people who sought his help, and as I said in particular, throughout the country.

His contribution locally will always be remembered. His contribution nationally needs to be drawn upon because he brought his business acumen to debates here in the Oireachtas. Sadly, that business acumen is lacking today because there is a lack of entrepreneurial spirit and a can-do attitude. Senator Ó Domhnaill highlighted the fact that Bernard was ahead of the curve in his entertainment business. He brought that knowledge and approach to the Oireachtas and debates over the years.

Bernard made an impact internationally because he served with distinction on the Council of Europe. He brought the same spirit of looking after the people of north-west region of the island and his entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude to the forum.

On a personal level, I have spent all of my childhood holidays with Bernard McGlinchey. I learned to walk and talk, on consecutive summers, in his house on Rutland Island that is located off the coast of Donegal. Bernard had a great love of the sea and boating. Once upon a time he almost lost his life through a boating accident. His boat sank and he had to take refuge on a nearby rock until somebody, thankfully, rescued him.

My family and I are grateful to have experienced his generosity first hand over the past 40 years and his generosity was second to none. Earlier Senator Ó Domhnaill mentioned Bernard's long political career on the council which lasted from 1955 to 2004. Only great Chinese leaders have managed to effectively serve for such long periods.

From a Fianna Fáil perspective, I had the pleasure of chairing a convention in Letterkenny in 2004. It was his last political outing. I shall never forget the evening because it was more a tribute, like today is, to his great achievements than a convention to select candidates. Over 400 people sat in awe of him and had respect for him but he simply stood up and thanked them all. He said that he could see all of them and would never forget the many people who helped him over the years and, in jest, said that he would never forget the people who did not help him. He was truly a great man.

I recall one occasion in 1999 where he replied, in jest, when an opposition councillor joked, following Bernard's announcement that he might not run for election and would put up his feet because he had served for so long. The councillor, perhaps in jest, said that retiring was the only positive contribution that Bernard had made. Bernard changed his mind about retiring and went on to top the poll thus ensuring that the councillor did not get across the line. There are famous comebacks but that was a particularly famous one. To many of us in the north-west of Ireland, particularly the people of Donegal, and like the great Muhammad Ali, Bernard will always be the greatest.

I conclude by extending my sympathies to Kathleen Sweeney, his partner of many years, whom he loved dearly. She was so important in his life. I also extend sympathies to his family, his sons Paul and Ray, his daughters Adrienne, Karen and Dolores, and his wife, Liz. We extend all of our sympathies to them because none will miss him more than them. I will miss him, along with my colleagues in Fianna Fáil. I know that the council and political colleagues of Fianna Fáil throughout Donegal and the north west will miss him too.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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On behalf of the Sinn Féin Party I join in the condolences offered to Bernard's family and friends and join in the glowing tributes paid to him today.

It is impossible for me to follow his Fianna Fáil colleagues who have spoken very eloquently and passionately about his achievements as an individual and politician. I did not know him personally but have heard him described several times over the past 24 hours as "a one-off individual". He worked tirelessly for the people of his native county. He was a politician of high calibre and a true representative of the people. I am sure the people of Donegal, surrounding counties and Ireland as a whole will remember him for all the positive things he did for his county and what he brought to national politics. One does not get re-elected to any chamber or institution time and again unless one has a proven track record and has worked hard and delivered for one's constituents. That Bernard got re-elected and topped the poll on numerous occasions demonstrates his calibre and the esteem in which he was held.

Bernard made a national contribution as a Member of the Seanad. However, I have heard it said that when he was a member of the local authority, he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Donegal County Council and also local government. I am sure this served him well when he was standing for Seanad elections. He was obviously highly regarded and commanded the utmost respect nationally and locally owing to his capacity as a politician. On behalf of Sinn Féin and myself, I extend sympathy to his family, his partner Kathleen, his close friends, his extended family and his Fianna Fáil colleagues who are present today. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I would like to be associated with the tributes to Bernard McGlinchey. Like Senator Cullinane, I did not know him but, having heard the moving accounts of him by Senators Mac Sharry and Ó Domhnaill, I believe we got to know him a little better. He was born in 1932 in a county which, as we know, is only barely attached to the rest of this State by the three or four miles of territory between Budoran and Ballyshannon. The county was often neglected and experienced very strong emigration to Scotland on the Derry boat. In the late 1930s, there were petitions by thousands of people in Donegal asking to leave the State because they had become so disillusioned. I have heard the historian Éamon Phoenix talk about the last petition, which was in 1937. The Border runs down the middle of the area between the four churches in the small town of Pettigo. Two of the churches are in Fermanagh and two are in Donegal. Donegal was so remote from the rest of the State that it needed a champion in Bernard McGlinchey. By all accounts, it got a champion in him, and that is why the park is called after him. One must acknowledge his role in having the Department of Social Protection offices located there, in addition to his role in respect of Letterkenny General Hospital and the regional technical college, which later became the institute of technology, a noted part of the infrastructure.

Donegal is a unique county in which three languages are spoken, namely Irish, English and a strong Ulster Scots. It was served by a unique representative who, as we have heard, was re-elected repeatedly. Donegal needed a champion and obviously had one. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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Tá áthas ormsa freisin seans a bheith agam labhairt inniu faoi Bernard McGlinchey. Is cóir agus ceart go bhfuil seans againn ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl, ní hamháin do Bernard McGlinchey ach don clann agus pobal lena bhain sé. Bíonn an-áthas orm i gcónaí anseo nuair a théann muid siar ar bhóithrín na smaointe. Ní ag smaoineamh ar pholaitíocht an pháirtí atá mé, ach ag smaoineamh ar dhaoine a sheas an fód in am an ghátair, daoine a thug an dea-shampla agus a rinne iarracht cabhair a thabhairt, daoine a bhí flaithiúil. Sin díreach an rud atá ag tarlú anseo inniu agus tá súil agam go leanfaidh an Seanad ar aghaidh leis an nós agus an traidisiún seo.

Tá sé an-simplí dearmad a dhéanamh ar na daoine atá imithe ar shlí na fírinne agus dearmad a dhéanamh ar an dul chun cinn a dhein siad, an feabhas a chur siad ar an saol, na rudaí dearfacha a dhein siad agus ar an treoir a thug siad don phobal. Tá sé an-simplí dearmad a dhéanamh ar na rudaí sin, ach de bharr go bhfuil daoine ag caint futhu anseo inniu, táimid ag foghlaim ó daoine a raibh sár aithne acu ar Bhernard McGlinchey. Níl aon amhras faoi ná go mbeidh caint faoi agus go mbeidh sé i mbéal an phobail an fhad agus a bheidh polaitíocht beo agus bríomhar sa Teach seo.

There is no doubt but that Donegal was a remarkable county in every sense of the word. At times it was a political battleground, but it was also a political nursery and political generator during those years in which Bernard McGlinchey actually served there. For perhaps 20 or 25 years, Donegal was a minuscule version of the political landscape that then existed. I am thinking what a very easy time the Leader has with us now by comparison with those turbulent times. I was wondering how successful we might be if we tried to speak for 12 minutes. The Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach would have a say in that. There is a message in the strategy of filibustering, or otherwise, that existed in the time of Bernard McGlinchey. It is mind-boggling to think that somebody could get up and speak for 12 hours. One wonders how Bernard managed without food, water and so on. It is an indication of the passion that existed in public life. That is why I am very pleased with the tradition and custom we have of paying tribute to those who have gone before us.

In all the time that I have sat here to listen to tributes, I never heard an acrimonious word coming from the political opponents of the deceased. It has always been a matter of leaving partisanship to one side and making an effort in a nice, sincere and genuine way to recall the attributes of the deceased colleague. When Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held in Buncrana on four occasions, I had reason to realise how successful Bernard McGlinchey was in delivering what was required at any given time. There is no doubt but that he was a master when it came to oiling the wheels of the local services and community. Reference has been made to Bernard's entrepreneurship. Let us be fair about it: back in those days, that was the way in which to create jobs. It was not always a question of big industries coming into the country or of expecting that the Government could do something; the work had to be done by oneself. We are all well aware that no matter how successful chambers of commerce might be or how dedicated local trade committees might be, it is always left to one person to put his head above the parapet, put his money where his mouth is, take the risks and try to create jobs. Bernard McGlinchey did so in so many different ways.

We should not skirt around the turbulent times that existed in Northern Ireland and the role that was played by so many people. It was played sincerely, very often from a different perspective. However, there is no doubt but that Bernard McGlinchey was always part of that drama and story. Bernard was a proud Donegal man but also a proud Ulsterman. There is no doubt that if one wanted to be a proactive public representative, one had no choice but to be part of the drama, find solutions and promote peace and justice. It was not always easy because of so many agendas operating at one time. Anybody who knew Bernard would say that what one saw was what one got. I always said the same about Ian Paisley. There was no doubt about what Ian Paisley felt because he said what he felt, irrespective of whether one agreed.

Bernard McGlinchey was very much an iconic figure. He was never too far away from headlines and was always present to express a view. However, that he could enter public life in his 20s, serve for so long in Seanad Éireann and offer such sterling service to his county must be noted.

It is often said that we in political life are too parochial. I do not agree. It is like building a house where what happens in one's constituency is one of the blocks, and if that block is not strong, the foundation is not strong. For any of those in Donegal I have read about, met or heard about, Donegal was their focus. As a result, they also gave ideas to other counties.

The late Bernard McGlinchey was very much part of this story and it is nice for us to be able to say, to his family, extended family, colleagues, all who worked with him and all who still have him in their folk memory, he was shared with the whole nation and it all was not confined to Donegal. Some names crop up in all discussions and when we are reminiscing in years to come, no doubt the late Bernard McGlinchey's name will always be central to any reminiscence, appreciation or acknowledgement which takes place.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I am glad to have the opportunity to say a few brief words in memory of the late iar Sheanadóir Bernard McGlinchey and in doing so, to express my personal sympathy to his wife, Liz, and his family, and to his partner and friend for many years, Ms Kathleen Sweeney.

Unlike Senator MacSharry, I did not know the late Senator McGlinchey well. I had heard of him through Fianna Fáil folklore but I only got to meet and know him when I became a member of the General Council of County Councils in 1999. I struck up a great relationship with him from that time onwards. In fact, he was instrumental in me deciding to run for the Seanad and advised me well, and helped me campaign in my first election in 2002.

As colleagues have said, he was a Member of this House for 20 years, from 1961 until 1982, and a public representative at local level in his native Donegal for almost five decades. He was a proud Donegal man and a proud Irishman but he was, in particular, extremely proud of his native town of Letterkenny where he established a successful business. Indeed, the town of Letterkenny is littered with monuments, such as the general hospital, the Department of Social Protection offices and the institute of technology, to the memory, work and dedication to the town of the late Bernard McGlinchey. As colleagues pointed out, the public park in Letterkenny, for which he was instrumental in obtaining the land, was named the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park after him. It is a unique honour that his colleagues, from all parts of the political divide and none, decided to name that park in his memory while he was still living. Indeed, he told me it is a park he used stroll around from time to time and sit down in to have a quite smoke.

The 12 hour debate has been alluded to by the Leader and other colleagues. Senator Ó Murchú wondered how he managed without food and water for those 12 hours. The food and water, knowing the late Bernard McGlinchey as I knew him, would not have mattered to him, but it was quite obvious that one was able to smoke in the Chamber in those days because he could not have gone for 12 hours without having a puff out of his pipe. I would be interested in checking if smoking was allowed in the Chamber at that time. I suggest it definitely was.

The late Bernard, as has been stated by previous speakers, was not only a proud Donegal man and Irishman, but a proud member of the Fianna Fáil Party and was very friendly with and supporter of the late former Taoiseach, Mr. Charles Haughey, down through the decades through thick and thin. Mr. Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher MEP, in a contribution on economic affairs in this House some time shortly after the death of Bernard, summed the man up well when he stated:

Bernard McGlinchey was an honest, generous and decent man who was always available to assist politicians, individuals, families and communities throughout the length and breadth of Donegal and further afield. ... May the green sod of Conwell lay gently on his breast.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I also want to be associated with the tributes to the late Bernard McGlinchey who, as has already been said, served in this House from 1961 to 1982, having been elected to both the Industrial and Commercial Panel and the Administrative Panel, and a Taoiseach's nominee on two occasions.

I would not have known the late Senator McGlinchey as well as Senators MacSharry, Ó Domhnaill, Ó Murchú and others did, but I had a few encounters with him, I suppose, at Ard-Fheiseanna. I particularly remember one occasion, I think, during the 1997 Seanad campaign, having to travel to Donegal. Going to Donegal, for somebody from west Cork, was like going to Scotland. It was a different country. One felt exiled there, particularly looking for Seanad votes. He allowed me address the gathering. He ruled the Donegal council with an iron fist and on the day of the voting, he would call together all the Fianna Fáil councillors and those aligned to Fianna Fáil and, with an iron fist, dictate who they should vote for. That is why on the last occasion, on the panel that I ran in, I had difficulty even getting beyond Sligo. On the earlier occasion, he called me aside as we were leaving. He was very loyal to a particular Seanadóir at the time who was an acting whip on one occasion, the late Senator Paddy McGowan. He would have known of me having run for the Dáil and being in the Seanad. He said that he greatly feared the late Senator Paddy McGowan would be short a vote or two, and he encouraged me to help out his good colleague as best I could. He said - this is the first time I had come across this - that he would give me a vote on the panel, which was not the one I was recently elected on, and I would know it because he would use a green marker and Roman numerals. He said I would be getting the No. 1 and told me who would get the No. 2 and No. 3. I was astonished that at the count, where they slowly put out the papers, I was able to recognise the green marker and that he had honoured his commitment to me. It was an unusual technique. He was an established politician, obviously, revered in Donegal. One certainly would be persona non grata canvassing in Donegal on any panel if one had not some rapport with the late great Bernard McGlinchey. He will be sadly missed.

As Leas-Chathaoirleach, I convey my sympathy to all his political colleagues of all dimensions, particularly in Donegal, across the board, and to his family, and particularly the people of Donegal he represented loyally for so long. I offer my sincere sympathy to all concerned. At this juncture, it would be appropriate that I would ask the Members to stand for a minute's silence. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.