We have all learned with deep regret of the death of his Eminence William Cardinal Conway. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis. A native of Belfast, he received his education there and displayed at an early age the great potential which was to make him a distinguished scholar in subsequent years during which he held for a time the posts of Professor of Moral Theology and Professor of Canon Law in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. During his period of office as Primate of All Ireland he led his flock with courage, gentleness and patience into the new era which was heralded by the Second Vatican Council. He devoted much of his ability and energy to initiatives in relation to the Northern Ireland situation which had been a cause of deep concern to him. I ask you, Ceann Comhairle, in the name of Dáil Éireann, to convey to the Most Reverend Doctor Lenny, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, to the clergy and people of the Archdiocese and to the mother and relatives of the late Cardinal our deepest sympathy in their great loss.
Death of Cardinal Conway: Expression of Sympathy.
Thar ceann Fhianna Fáil ba mhaith liom cur leis agus cuidiú leis an méid atá ráite ag an Taoiseach i dtaobh báis an Chardinéil. Tá ár gcomhbhrón curtha in iúl cheana féin don Ard Easbog Cúnta agus do chlann an Chardinéil. Is mór an bhris í a bhás ní amháin dóibh siúd ach do mhuintir na hÉireann uile.
In the passing of Cardinal Conway Ireland has lost a great Church leader. His leadership was manifest not only through the authority vested in him by virtue of his high office but also in the strength of his own faith, his humanity and the example that he gave. His intellectual achievements need no embellishment from me. The quality of his intellect became known worldwide as a result of the tremendous contribution he made to Vatican II. His election to the Cardinals' College was a source of pride to the people of Ireland, the Ireland he loved so well, that such a man had become our Cardinal. Tribute has been paid to him by the other Church leaders with whom he collaborated and worked unceasingly for peace in the last seven or eight years. Even before the present troubles in the North became so acute and so agonising, his annual Christmas messages to the nation were permeated with thoughts of peace. In life he worked for it; it has not yet come, but in his spiritual home I know he will help us to achieve it. I suaimhneas síoraí Fhlaitheas Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.
Members rose in their places.