Before the Order of Business I think the House would like me to express our sincere sympathy to the wife, Nuala, family and relatives of the late Eamonn Rooney who served with distinction in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.
Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.
On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I thank the Taoiseach for taking the initiative and expressing our sympathy to the Rooney family in remembrance of Eamonn Rooney. He was the first politician I met as a child and I remember being surprised that he did not conform to the image I had at that time of a politician, i.e. a flamboyant, declamatory individual who spoke in a loud voice and who appeared to know everything about every subject. Eamonn was probably one of the most quiet spoken, gentle and kind Member of the Oireachtas for many years. He was elected to this House in 1948 and participated, as a new Deputy, in the formation of the first inter-party Government — a five party Coalition — formed on that occasion. He continued to serve as a Member of the Dáil until 1965 and was a Member of the Seanad from 1965 until 1969.
He came from a distinguished political family in north County Dublin. His uncle took part in the War of Independence while his father and other uncles were involved in the formation of the party on whose behalf I am proud to speak here today. He served a large number of people in a constituency which stretched from the Dargle River in Bray to the Delvin River in Balbriggan and which encompassed areas as far apart as Glencullen and Balscadden. He served in the Dáil with the late, legendary Paddy Burke and the — equally legendary — late Sean Dunne. It is a commentary on the changed nature of politics and the rapidity of change that so few Members of the House here today knew personally, as was my privilege, somebody who served for so long in his House.
On behalf of my party, I again thank the Taoiseach for taking the initiative and paying this tribute to a dedicated and self-effacing but nonetheless extremely effective representative of the people of County Dublin.
On my own behalf and on behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I would like to express our sympathy to the Rooney family on their sad loss and to the Fine Gael Party. Although I have been in Leinster House for 16 years I did not know the late Eamonn Rooney but I know that he was a very quiet man and, from what Deputy Bruton said, a very effective politician. It is hard for me as a Deputy who represents a Dublin constituency to imagine that County Dublin was once one constituency, not so many years ago. Someone who served that wide county well and effectively for so long in the Dáil and Seanad and in Dublin County Council deserves our appreciation and respect. I extend my sympathy to his wife, family and party.
We, too, would like to be associated with the remarks and extend our sympathy to the family of the late Eamonn Rooney.
On behalf of the Parliamentary Labour Party, I would like to be associated with the remarks made by the other party leaders and by Deputy Rabbitte. Deputy Bruton outlined in a thorough manner the contribution by the late Eamonn Rooney who served as a Deputy and then as a Senator. He had an outstanding career and, as Deputy Bruton said, he was quiet and self-effacing but nonetheless effective. On behalf of the Parliamentary Labour Party, I extend our sympathy to his wife and family.
I, too, would like to be associated with the expression of sympathy on the death of Eamonn Rooney. As Deputy Bruton said, he served in this House from 1948 onwards where he represented the people of County Dublin with my father and the late Sean Dunne. I knew him since I was a child as one of nature's gentlemen. The three worked together for many years. The only question at each election was which of the three would finish first, second or third — that is the way it was. They had a perfect working relationship and represented their constituents honourably and well.
Eamonn Rooney will be a sad loss in north County Dublin as he was very much involved in the commercial life of the area since his retirement from politics. On a personal basis, I would like to extend my sympathy to Nuala and the family on the death of Eamonn.
Might I, as one of the few Deputies who served with the late Eamonn Rooney, also join in the tributes paid to him. My recollection of Eamonn Rooney is that he was a very underrated politician. He was a deep thinker who served the people of north County Dublin well. He was an unassuming person but he took life very seriously. He was committed to the Just Society document which revolutionised thinking in the sixties.
As someone who went out on a limb on the Northern Ireland issue in the early seventies and preached a message which seems more popular nowadays but which was hard for people to understand then, I want to put on record, probably for the first time, the fact that one of the few to give me encouragement was Eamonn Rooney. On many occasions he telephoned or wrote to me congratulating me on the stand I was taking and telling me how right I was.
Like other Deputies I extend my sympathy to his widow and children and I commend the service he gave this House and this party.
I too want to join in the vote of sympathy to Nuala and to Eddie, Laurence and Nicola, the children of Eamonn Rooney. We in Malahide have lost a personal friend and mentor. Since I became involved in politics Eamonn has always been there giving words of advice and encouragement. As recent was Tuesday, two days before his final heart attack, he was in touch with me again, prompting me into some action. I know that on the day before he went into hospital, again in service of the people of north County Dublin, he had written to the Minister, Deputy Brian Cowen. I am sure the Minister will find that letter in his office. We will miss him terribly. As Deputy Burke said, he was one of life's gentlemen. He never said anything bad about anybody, even people of different political persuasions. It was hard to rise Eamonn to say something unkind about somebody. That is a very fine tribute that one can pay to his memory, and may he rest in peace.
Let us rise in prayerful silence.
Members rose.