The House will, I know, want to pay tribute to the late Seán MacEntee who was a Member of Dáil Éireann for half a century and whose record of service to his country was unsurpassed. That service was at all times motivated by a burning patriotism, a flame which remained alight until the last moment of his life.
As I have said elsewhere, he brought to the proceedings of this House the eye of a poet, the vision of a patriot and a tongue whose acerbity belied the softness and warmth of his heart. In Government he served in many roles, including a long number of years in the key position of Minister for Finance, helping to steer the State through a difficult and turbulent period.
Coming into office in 1932 he was concerned, while pursuing with the other members of his party, its policies, to maintain the continuity of the State, thereby helping to secure the establishment of our democracy on the firmest of foundations. His concern for democracy remained the basis of all his political ideals and actions. His absolute rejection of violence as a means of securing the objective that was dearest to him above all others, the unity of the Irish people, was informed by his devotion to the democratic process.
I mourn him as a close family and personal friend who, with his wife, Margaret, was dear to my parents, my brothers and myself.
