Despite the very long illness he suffered, I was not alone in this House in feeling a deep sense of shock when I learned of the death of my friend, and the friend of many Members, Gerry L'Estrange. Those of us who have served in the House for any length of time will remember vividly Gerry L'Estrange speaking from a seat which rather poignantly is one of the few seats left vacant at present — beside where Deputy Callely is seated — and excoriating the then Government in an eloquence which has not been matched in this House either for its colour or vigour. He could speak strongly and from a deep conviction — his convictions were very deep — and at the same time hold no personal malice towards any of the victims of his eloquence, and this was understood and appreciated.
He made many friends during his long public career, which did not commence as a political one. He was a noted athlete who competed on the national and local stage in long distance running. He is known still by those active in that field of endeavour. He was subsequently elected to Westmeath County Council in 1942, and served on that body until 1981 — one of its longest records of service. He chaired Westmeath County Council for three years from 1959 to 1961 and served on virtually all the subsidiary and other bodies to which the council makes appointments.
The late Deputy L'Estrange was a member of the Seanad from 1954 to 1965. His particularly robust political style may not have been entirely suited to that House. He found his true home when he was elected to this House in 1965 where he served until he retired undefeated in 1987. He was also a member of the European Parliament.
As Leader of the Fine Gael Party I recall that when no member of the Front Bench was willing to attend a meeting at the far end of the country and everybody else had important personal or political engagements more convenient to home, Gerry L'Estrange was always willing to go wherever the party wanted him to go. He was, in the best sense of that term, a true party man. He believed in and served his party. He shared all its good and bad points and expressed them in this House, sometimes to the annoyance of others but always in a way that was truly authentic. Gerry L'Estrange was a genuine politician. He spoke from his heart about things as he saw them.
On behalf of my party and the Government I would like to express my deep sympathy to Eileen, and to Sally L'Estrange, his cousin who looked after him during his long illness, and all those in County Westmeath and Longford who feel bereaved by the passing on Good Friday to his eternal and well earned reward of the late Gerry L'Estrange.