A Cheann Comhairle, that ceann an Rialtais agus, ar ndóigh, thar cheann gach Comhalta den Teach seo, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le cléir agus le muintir deoise Ard Mhacha as ucht bás Phíomháidh na hÉireann an Cairdinéal Tomás Ó Fiaich, san Fhrainc inné. Tá comhbhrón faoi leith le dul do chlann agus gaolta uilig an Chairdinéil chomh maith.
Ghoill nuacht bhás an Chairdinéil go mór orm nuair a cuireadh in iúl dom é aréir mar, taobh amuigh den teagmháil oifigiúil a bhíonn idir an Taoiseach agus ceannairí na n-Eaglaisí go léir in Eirinn, ba chara pearsanta dom é an Cairdinéal le blianta fada anuas. Is cúis bhróin faoi leith dúinn go léir gur cailleadh é chomh tobann sin, ach tá mé cinnte go mbeadh an Cairdinéal lán-sásta gur i seirbhís dhilís a hArd-deoise féin — agus é i gceannas ar oilithreacht bhliaintiúil na hArd-deoise chuig Lourdes — gur ghlaoigh an Tiarna air teacht abhaile.
Sár-scoláire ab ea an Cairdinéal, Gael go smior. Thug sé gean don Ghaeilge; thuig sé an tábhacht a bhain leí agus shaothraigh sé go dian agus go flaithiúil chun an teanga a chur chun cinn. Ba léiriú air sin a chuid oibre le Cumann na Sagart, Glór na nGael agus mar chathaoirleach ar an gCoimisiún um Athbheochan na Gaeilge. Bhí aithne agus cion air i ngach Gaeltacht sa tír, ach go háirithe i Rann na Feirste.
Deputies will have been shocked and saddened to learn last night of the sudden and untimely death of His Eminence, Tomás Cardinal Ó Fiaich while leading a pilgrimage to Lourdes from his Archdiocese of Armagh.
Cardinal Ó Fiaich was a great Irishman, a most distinguished churchman and a brilliant scholar. His contribution throughout his entire lifetime to the religious, cultural and social life of the country was one of dedication, enthusiasm and above all of great humanity.
As president of Maynooth College and as Primate of All Ireland he displayed unique leadership qualities. He was held in the highest esteem and with much affection by all those with whom he came in contact in the course of his pastoral and public life.
He made an immense contribution to the ecclesiastical history of early Christian Ireland, and through lectures, pilgrimages, and through the medium of television, he retraced for a wider public the steps of the saints and scholars from Ireland that brought Christianity and learning to Europe during the dark ages. He seemed to know the location of every manuscript and the details of the journey of every saint.
He was a man who was most interested in and concerned with people. He was always available to listen to those who wished to express their views or concerns whether in public or in private.
He was a man of great humanity, sympathetic and understanding, with a generous warm personality and open manner. Above all else, he was a man of God and of peace. He gave leadership by example through his strong personal commitment to ecumenical dialogue and joint civic and religious activities with other Christians. He spared no effort in his deep wish to see a peaceful solution to the problem of Northern Ireland achieved on a basis acceptable to all sections of the community.
Cardinal Ó Fiaich, who came from Cullyhanna near the Border in Armagh, had a strong sense of identification with his people, and had throughout his life a great love of all things Irish. He was a spiritual leader of the Nationalist people at a time of great tension and stress, and he had the ability to articulate their feelings and aspirations with great dignity and moderation. His contribution will be very greatly missed.
I, personally, have lost an old friend whom I shall sadly miss.
I ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, in the name of Dáil Éireann, to convey to the Papal Nuncio, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Dr. Emanuele Gerada, to the clergy and the people of the Archdiocese of Armagh and to Cardinal Ó Fiaich's family, an expression of our profound sympathy in their great loss.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal dílis.