I thank the House and particularly the Opposition parties for facilitating me this morning. Unfortunately, owing to official business, it was not possible for me to be present in the House yesterday when expressions of sympathy were being extended to the family of the late Jim Gibbons.
Jim Gibbons was elected to this House in 1957. He was appointed in charge of the Office of Public Works in 1965 when Seán Lemass recognised that he had a deep knowledge and appreciation of our rich architectural heritage. During that time he started a nationwide campaign to restore many public buildings and to increase public awareness of that heritage. In 1969, he was appointed Minister for Defence and throughout his period as Minister he showed an unflinching dedication to protecting the integrity of our Defence Forces and to honouring his constitutional role. He was probably best known by the people of Ireland as Minister for Agriculture, with his practical knowledge of, and expertise in, farming. I know that farmers deeply appreciated the knowledge he brought to that particular job.
For many years, Jim Gibbons felt that his main protagonist in the Arms Trial — the controversy which scarred him for his entire life — would vindicate his good name. That never happened but as events have unfolded over the years, the public has vindicated his good name and integrity.
I knew Jim Gibbons well in his last few years in this House. He engaged with few Members to whom he did not send a cartoon. He pencilled cartoons of most Members when on this side of the House and the other and while at parliamentary meetings. I first got to know him when he sent me a very flattering cartoon at a meeting.
Although we were generations apart, Jim Gibbons and I became close friends. He was a lovable man and someone who had great dignity. He was also a very quiet man. Sitting at the opposite end of a table one could hardly hear him at times. When I visited him last summer, he still had a great interest in politics. Although he was very ill and unable to walk, he wanted to discuss political issues. I think he was somewhat encouraged by what he was hearing from the political debate which was taking place, not so much in this House but in another forum.
Jim Gibbons was a very intelligent person who was underestimated at times. He was very well read and could discuss almost any subject. I have already extended my sympathy to his wife, Peig, and to his children, particularly his son, Jim, who is the chairman of our parliamentary party. He was very much a family man and his family had to endure many tragedies of which Jim Gibbons had more than his fair share. It is fair to say that Jim Gibbons has been, and is being, vindicated. That is a great solace to his family who have had to endure enormous stress over the past 25 years or so.
I wish his wife many years of happiness as she has had to contend with a great deal of tragedy particularly during the past few years of Jim's illness during which she nursed him at home. We will all miss Jim Gibbons and Irish public life is at a loss because of the passing of somebody with his integrity.