It is now our sad duty to reflect on the untimely passing of a dear parliamentary colleague, the late Deputy Johnny Fox. The expression of sympathy will be moved by the Taoiseach.
Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy.
It is my sad duty to move this vote of sympathy. One cannot look at the seat that would normally be occupied by Johnny Fox without feeling a deep sense of personal loss. I wish to express sympathy to Johnny's widow, Susan, his daughters, Mildred and Ruth, and his son, Christopher.
Deputy Fox was a Member of the House from only November 1992, but in that short period he showed himself to be dedicated to the interests of his constituents. He died in the service of his constituents. He was very much an Independent, very much his own man. He had no fear of expressing his opinions whether, politically, they were correct or incorrect. His deep honesty was his strongest characteristic and that came across to anyone who dealt with him.
He also had great sympathy for the problems of other politicians. He did not apply false standards to the work of his colleagues but understood their difficulties and dealt with them on that basis while holding steadfastly to his own ideals.
He was an exceptionally successful politician. To be elected as an Independent to this House requires enormous qualities of dedication, commitment and conviction. It is virtually impossible to be elected to this House as an Independent in the face of the competition of organised party machines. That Deputy Johnny Fox was elected to this House as an Independent and, undoubtedly, would have been re-elected many times, is a clear indication of the magnitude of the talent that we have lost.
Deputy Fox was a member of Wicklow County Council since the 1980s and was chairman of that body for a while. He was a member of the Church of Ireland but played both Gaelic football and rugby. In his own life he was able to bring together the two traditions on this island of which we talk so much in other contexts. He frequently used references to traditions to explain the need for reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Johnny Fox was a living expression of the sort of reconciliation this country needs. He lived reconciliation; he was reconciliation and that, in a sense, is probably why he was such a success in politics. That is why he was elected as an Independent. That is why he was held in such universal affection on all sides of this House. People really did like Johnny Fox. Anyone who had to deal with him, as I as a party Leader had to do, could not but like him.
Nothing that can be said here can be of much consolation to his family on their loss, but the fact that Deputy Fox was held in such widespread respect and affection by those with whom he worked most closely must give some small consolation to them as they go through the next bitter empty days, months and, perhaps, even years.
I join the Taoiseach in this expression of sympathy to the family of our colleague, Johnny Fox. Whether one is in Government or Opposition it is always sad to lose a colleague of a current Dáil.
All our colleagues who passed away in recent times had much in common. Deputy Fox was a tremendous worker and represented my party as a county councillor. We will remember him especially for his dedication and work as a party activist. Unfortunately, in the last election he decided to run as an Independent. On the night of the convention which I chaired I discussed the matter with him at length. He reckoned, correctly, that the 1992 election campaign would be tight and tough but believed he would be elected to this House. This he achieved and I do not think anyone on this side of the House ever begrudged him this. I join the Taoiseach in extending our sympathy to his wife, Susan, his daughters, Mildred and Ruth, and son, Christopher.
Like many other Members of this House, Deputy Fox worked extremely hard. On St. Patrick's Day, when he could have been at home, he tried to do what so many other Members of this House should not do, be in four places at the one time. Having earlier attended a number of parades he left his wife, Susan, at one function to attend a presentation at another. In remembering him we should dwell on that point.
Although he was only in the House a short time — I knew him long before he became a Member — Deputy Fox loved the cut and trust of politics and the fun that goes with it; he did not regard the House solely as a place of work. He always tried to have time made available for the Independents and he was very successful. He always managed to make a contribution and was never afraid, as the Taoiseach said, of being controversial. On one occasion when everyone else was trying to avoid one he forced a vote on the issue being debated.
I would like to remember Deputy Fox in the way he will be remembered by his constituents in County Wicklow — as a hard working person with a tremendous interest in sport who did not consider this House solely as a place of work. It is so sad that a person so young and here for such a short length of time has passed away. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
I add my words of sympathy to those of the Taoiseach and the leader of the Fianna Fáil Party, Deputy Ahern. Those of us who got to know Deputy Fox knew that he took particular satisfaction in his election to Dáil Éireann without the help of the party system. He enjoyed his time in politics and will be missed by the people of County Wicklow, whom he represented on Wicklow County Council for many years, and by his sporting colleagues — he was involved in sport up to the time of his tragic death. He will be a great loss to his wife, Susan, and family.
In particular I pay tribute to Deputy Fox on behalf of his constituency colleague, Deputy Kavanagh, who is unable to be present because of the meeting of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. With their constituency colleagues, they worked well together in the interests of County Wicklow. He will be a loss to this House as he was a friend to everybody. He had strong convictions on many controversial issues and did not shy away from expressing them. We will miss him.
On behalf of the Labour Parliamentary Party, I extend our special sympathy to his wife, Susan, and children. They shall miss a good husband, father and colleague.
I join the other party leaders in extending my sympathy to the widow and family of the late Deputy Fox. I got to know him first during the campaign to stop the building of the interpretative centre at Luggala. He impressed me then as a man who was not only independent-minded but courageous because, at an early stage, he took a point of view which may not have been the view held by the majority.
Deputy Fox impressed me subsequently when he became a Member of this House. It is hard to believe that he was here for a little over two years. Most Members felt that they knew him fairly well. He spoke to everyone in a quiet but sincere and decent way. On the social agenda he held views that I would not share but he advanced them in a fair-minded way. Although he used strong language I do not think that he ever intended to offend anyone. He was a decent person who held strong views.
Deputy Fox did not make long speeches in this House. The greatest tribute I could pay to him is not to speak for too long. He will be sadly missed. For ten years we were happy not to lose any serving Member of the Dáil but now we have lost two in the past few months. When we heard of his death late on Friday night it came as a great shock. He was so young and active and advanced the cause of his constituents and the views he strongly held on a wide range of issues. He will be sadly missed.
With those of us who are unable to find offices in Leinster House Deputy Fox had an office in Kildare House. Perhaps as a consequence we got to know him somewhat better. On our way to the House for votes we met the various protest groups and in the many chats I had with him he always seemed to be in good humour and a person who enjoyed being a Member of this House. To his wife, Susan, and his three children I extend my sympathy and that of the Progressive Democrats.
Like every other Member of this House, I was shocked when I heard of the death of Deputy Fox whom I met for the first time when he became a Member in 1992. He was a member of the Technical Group which was formed after the last election. He was an extremely likeable and kind person who held strong views some of which I did not share. They were deeply held and he pursued them honourably and actively. There is little else that a public representative can do in serving his constituents. On behalf of the Democratic Left, I convey our sympathy to his wife and three children and the community he served.
It is hard to believe that we will not see Deputy Fox again in this House. He was happiest outdoors working on his farm. He loved the Wicklow mountains and the people who lived on and near them and they certainly loved him. This was never more evident than when the crowds came to Delgany Church from every part of the county and beyond to mourn his death.
Deputy Fox held simple but strong beliefs which may not have been to everyone's liking. It is appropriate that his final resting place is at the foot of the Sugar Loaf. His epitaph could be taken from the psalms "His foundation is upon the holy hills" as he loved the mountains and the rural communities he represented. That is where he will be best remembered. I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife, Susan, and three children, Mildred, Christopher and Ruth. They have lost a dear father and we, in County Wicklow, have lost a dear friend. May he rest in peace.
It is a great privilege to join the Taoiseach, my party leader, the Tánaiste, and other colleagues in paying this brief tribute to the late Deputy Fox. I was present at the meeting of his passing. With our colleague, Deputy Kavanagh, who, as the Tánaiste said, would like to be present this morning, we attended a number of parades on St. Patrick's Day together.
To use a cliché Deputy Fox was a larger than life character and a man of the people. The sense of shock and total loss felt by the people of Wicklow has to be witnessed to be fully appreciated. Deputy Fox will be remembered with great fondness in the years ahead when perhaps many of us will have been forgotten. As other Members said, he was involved in the political and the sporting world and there were no sporting, political or religious divides known to Deputy Fox. To his wife Susan and his lovely family I offer, on behalf of my constituents, my most sincere sympathies. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
With deep regret I wish to be associated with this vote of sympathy on the death of Deputy Johnny Fox to his wife Susan and family. No words of mine could pay an adequate tribute to Deputy Johnny Fox for the work he did on behalf of the people of Wicklow. He was a tireless worker, nothing was too much trouble for him as far as their interests were concerned and above all, Deputy Fox was a man without malice. Irrespective of how deep discussions with him may have been, when everything was said and done, and because of his great capacity for unity, Deputy Fox was always among friends.
Before entering politics he was involved in every facet of local life in his own area. As one who knew him for a considerable number of years I believe Longfellow must have had people like Deputy Fox in mind when he wrote about footprints on the sands of time. Judging by the deep sorrow and sadness we felt on learning of the news of Deputy Fox's death, we can certainly appreciate how Susan, his children and his sisters must have felt. In his passing his wife and family have lost a great provider and the people of Wicklow have lost an outstanding public representative. Those of us whose lives he touched have lost a true and valued friend. May he rest in peace.
Ba mhaith liom, ar son an Chomhaontais Ghlais, cúpla focal a rá tar éis bhás mo chara, an Teachta Fox, a bhí ina bhall den Ghrúpa Teicniúil.
I join other Members of the House in extending deepest sympathy to the late Deputy Fox's wife, Susan, and his children, Mildred, Ruth and Christopher. When I remember Deputy Fox the words that come to mind are courtesy at all times. Regardless of how fraught the debate might become, he would always extend courtesy to those with whom he may not have agreed. To that extent he has left a legacy in this House and far beyond on how one should — even in controversy and conflict — maintain dignity and courtsey when dealing with people.
I did not always agree with Deputy Fox's political views but his death has affected me more than the death of others because he was a true friend. One aspect of friendship is that even though friends do not always agree, they can engage in conversation and argue point while keeping the friendship intact. One could always depend on Deputy Fox in one's hour of need.
I wish to pay tribute to Deputy Fox's work on behalf of the group of which we were both a member. He always spoke out and was not afraid of convention. He put across his points as an Independent and gained enormous respect. He will be a sad loss, particularly to his family but to the country also because he epitomised an independent way of thinking that is refreshing in an often staid political climate. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
On behalf of Deputy Blaney, who would dearly like to be here but cannot because of the meeting of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, on behalf of Deputy Tom Foxe and myself I wish to express our personal sadness and sincere regret at the untimely death of our Independent colleague, the late Deputy Johnny Fox. I join the other Members who spoke here today and convey our sympathy to his widow, Susan and his family.
In the short time we knew him, Deputy Fox was a most likeable, gentlemanly and courteous colleague who worked extremely hard on behalf of his constitutents and who always had the courage of his convictions even when that meant standing alone in this House. He was a credit to this House. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Members rose.