Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 7

Returns to Writs: Dublin North and Limerick East. - Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

Mrs. Owen

Deputy Hugh Coveney ennobled the profession of politics. His tragic and untimely death has robbed all of us in politics of one of its most highly thought of members. The feeling of desolation that descended on us, his colleagues in Fine Gael, has been shared throughout the country by all other parties and by those who knew Hugh in politics, sport and the business world. On behalf of Fine Gael, I thank the members of all parties who have paid such fine tributes to Hugh. It is a true measure of the man that people from all political backgrounds have only good things to say about him.

If our sense of loss is so deeply felt, it is nothing compared to the pain and devastation felt by Pauline, Patrick, Simon, Rory, Tony, Andrew, Rebecca and David and all the relatives of Hugh and Pauline. Words are inadequate to express the depth of sympathy we extend to Pauline and the family, but I hope they will gain some comfort from the outpourings of respect and love for Hugh which were manifest in the tributes paid to him.

I feel certain that Hugh, who never sought out praise, would be embarrassed by it all. Despite all his talents, he was a genuinely shy and modest man. Because of his innate sense of decency and his willingness to find points of consensus rather than difference, Hugh would be heartened that he achieved in his death the consensus across party lines which does not always exist.

Hugh's achievements have been well documented — his successful professional practice in Cork, his election to Cork Corporation in 1979, his election to the Dáil in 1981, his term as Lord Mayor of Cork which he considered a great honour, his worldwide renown as a yachtsman and his distinguished period as Minister for Defence and the Marine and as Minister of State at the Department of Finance. Despite all the successes of Hugh's life, he never lost touch with his roots. He was utterly diligent in his representation of the people of Cork through politics. He was also totally committed to improving Cork by judicious investment and by sharing his material wealth for the betterment of Cork and its people. This commitment to Cork's business life and to its people was carried out in Hugh's normal modest way. It is only since his tragic death that we know of some of his generosity, particularly to people less well-off than himself.

Hugh, like all of us, faced disappointments in his life. He lost his seat in this House in 1987 and I shared that defeat with him. I know he was upset by that loss because we often talked about it. I recall with great warmth how he advised me to keep trying as I might be back some day. I am glad his words came to pass. He decided to return to his business life. In 1994 he agreed to stand in the by-election for Fine Gael, thus showing his loyalty to this party that he loved and his commitment to public service. He was rewarded by the people of Cork when he won the by-election.

Hugh faced his removal from ministerial office with a dignity and lack of rancour which were his hallmarks and he proceeded to make a dynamic and important contribution as Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works. As Minister for Justice, I was indebted to his input into the most extensive prison building programme ever undertaken in the State. Hugh's professional training was an invaluable asset in the work of the committee he chaired. He was so proud when he travelled to Castlerea with me to view the fruits of his endeavours and to share the opening of the first phase of that prison. The staff of the Office of Public Works who worked with him on that committee told me many times of their great admiration for Hugh's work and commitment.

As one of the ministerial team at the Northern Ireland talks, Hugh's role cannot be underestimated. I spent many hours with him at that time and watched his skill in dealing with the sensitive relationships among the participants. His input was vital at a time when the tiniest of detail had the capacity to cause great conflict. I remember on one occasion when Hugh was the sole Government representative at the talks for a particular few days during discussions on the agenda agreement was arrived at thanks to his skilful negotiating powers. I passed on to him the warm words of thanks of Sir Patrick Mayhew and the chairman, Mr. George Mitchell, but Hugh, in his usual self-effacing manner, said: "Go on out of that, Nora". However, I knew that deep down he was immensely satisfied with the part he was playing in bringing about a peaceful solution to Northern Ireland and an end to the killing and maiming of Irish men, women and children on this island. The finest tribute to Hugh Coveney will be a successful outcome to the present talks. If he were here today, he would wish the Taoiseach and his Government great success in their endeavours, as we all do in this House.

Hugh's love and devotion to his wife and children were exemplary. It was an honour and a pleasure to be around any combination of the Coveney family, as I and many of my colleagues were during the by-election he won. The close bonds of family were so evident. I will forever remember the sight of his and Pauline's fine looking children in their red sweatshirts proclaiming Coveney for all to see on the roadsides of Cork city and county. Their good fortune to have Hugh and Pauline as their parents will, I hope, help to comfort them in their great loss and help them to fulfil all their ambitions as a tribute to their late father.

In reviewing Hugh Coveney's life, I was reminded of the parable of the talents. Hugh was blessed with some talents at his birth but he increased them and shared the benefits of his knowledge and success with so many people who will be grateful for his life and generosity. To Pauline, Patrick, Simon, Rory, Tony, Andrew, Rebecca and David I extend, on behalf of John Bruton, myself and all the members of Fine Gael throughout the country, our heartfelt sympathy and say it was an honour to have shared our lives, even for a short time, with a man such as Hugh Coveney.

The Taoiseach

I join Deputy Owen and our colleagues in the House in this expression of sympathy. It was with profound shock and regret, that I and all my colleagues on this side of the House learned of Hugh Coveney's sudden and tragic death. He was a man of outstanding character, tremendous ability and great personal charm. It is not always the case that a Member gets to know Members on the opposite side that well, but over the years Hugh got to know practically all the Members and that says something great about him. He was a man of great courtesy and his personal qualities of integrity and sincerity were combined with, as Deputy Owen said, a quiet sense of humour which earned him the affection and respect of all Members of the Oireachtas over the years and of all those who came into contact with him in his extended interests outside this House. The guard of honour by Members on all sides of the House, of which unfortunately I could not be a part, on the occasion of his funeral and the vast numbers who attended his funeral were a striking testament to the high regard in which he was held by the public.

I got to know Hugh very well in recent years. I have known him since l981 when he was elected to this House and he lived near my relations in Cork. I had many dealings with him over that period. He was impressive to deal with in business or in any discussion. He was impressive in his physical presence, showed great courtesy and positive enthusiasm for his life's work regardless of whatever aspect he discussed.

To his wife Pauline, his daughter, sons and the rest of his family, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our deepest condolences on their tremendous loss. They will miss him most and while we will miss him we can only imagine what it is like for his family. His colleagues in Fine Gael were very proud of him as a parliamentarian and of his work in this House from l981 to l987, of his by-election victory for his party and his period as Minister for Defence and the Marine to which he could not have been better suited. I agree with what Deputy Owen said. I have heard officials on many occasions speak of his professionalism in handling that brief because of his great interest in sailing. He would have been professional in any brief, but that was one he particularly loved. He was professional in his duties with the Office of Public Works, the budget committee and the Northern Ireland talks. I was with most of the people who took part in the talks with him when I heard the tragic news. I reiterate what Deputy Owen said. They knew him well and all shared the same view of him similar to the view that has been expressed here. On a lighter note — that is not easy, given where many of them stand on most issues. I am sure his family would be proud of that.

In his recent position as spokesperson for Agriculture and Food, I got more letters from him than any other Member of the shadow Cabinet. He dealt with matters by writing letters setting out his view, particularly on the issue of third country markets. He wrote giving advice rather than raising criticisms.

He was a very successful Lord Mayor. He was able to link the political, business and community aspects of matters which many of us do not have the ability to do. I recently met him at a meeting of the Cork Chamber of Commerce in which he played a key role in the early 1980s. He secured the highest ever vote as a Cork councillor in the 1979 elections.

Many of my discussions with Hugh were about sport. We shared a love of sport, but not a love of the same sports. As his sons and daughter know, when he kindly asked me to launch their voyage on the Golden Apple to raise funds for Chernobyl, it took most of them to keep me on the boat because I am not brave when it comes to the sea. We had good fun that day and I considered it an honour that he asked me, as Taoiseach, to launch the world voyage on which five of his seven children set forth. I know from talking to them today that they hope to complete it sometime. I hope they do because he would have wished them to do that.

He captained Ireland's representatives in offshore events in the 1970s and 1980s. He captained Ireland in the 1979 Admiral Cup, which was difficult at times due to storms. Given all that and all he achieved in his business life, he was a man of remarkable success and talent. It will take his family many years to get over the tragic loss and also his colleagues in Fine Gael. Members will not get over his loss easily. He was held in high esteem by all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam Uasal agus dílis Hugh Coveney leaga cuimhne go deo.

Mr. Howlin

It was said in recent days that the best way of having one's worth recognised in this country is to die. Many tributes were paid to Hugh Coveney from all political quarters in recent days. The shock of his sudden death receded and the recognition dawned on all of us of the loss to public and political life of Hugh's passing. More than ever before we have a sense of the worth of that wonderful parliamentarian. On behalf of the Labour Party, I express our sympathy to the Fine Gael Party and most especially to Hugh Coveney's family. Hugh's death is an immeasurable loss to Pauline, the boys and his daughter.

As someone who worked with him in Government, I found he had an extraordinary ability to work with people from every political persuasion. His passing has evoked an almost unique sense of rallying across the political spectrum. In Cabinet he had an ambitious work programme. He had a tremendous enthusiasm for the Department of the Marine, in particular, and the Department of Defence. He was well able to negotiate his stand. I remember in relation to Structural Funds when he and I were in two separate Departments bidding for money for roads in my case and ports in his, he did rather well and the final proposal accepted by Government was much more generous to the Marine than the original one. That was a measure of the tact he brought to bear on the important work he had.

As the Taoiseach said, he was an accomplished yachtsman and represented this country at international level. I know he brought that passion for the sea to Cabinet and, coming from a marine county, I know he endeared himself in a rather unique way to those who live in our coastal communities. They had an extraordinarily high regard for him and a great understanding of what he achieved in a relatively short period of time in steering that Ministry.

As a Minister of State in the Department of Finance, he worked to ensure that the benefits of a growing economy of additional wealth was shared equally within our community. Given the very difficult task, one of which the Taoiseach will be aware, of negotiating bilaterals with Ministers who are ever anxious to spend more, Hugh brought an extraordinary tact to that job, ensuring there was fairness, understanding and very few rows.

He was at the prime of his political and family life. He had so much more to offer public and political life and it is nothing short of a monumental tragedy that his life was cut short in this way. On behalf of the Labour Party, I most sincerely offer my condolences to the Coveney family and hope the tremendous outpouring of grief will be of some comfort to them following this terrible loss.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

I join the Taoiseach and Deputies Owen and Howlin in expressing my sympathy and that of the Progressive Democrats Party to the late Hugh Coveney's widow, Pauline, his family and the Fine Gael Party. When most of us learnt of his sudden death — in my case early on 15 March — we were deeply shocked that a person we had grown to know and admire could die in such tragic circumstances. I recall on one occasion when I was under pressure Hugh Coveney crossed the floor of the House before a debate to wish me well and offer moral and personal support. I might have been normally surprised to receive support from an unusual quarter but not from him because he was a genuine person and decency shone through in everything he did.

He detested adversarial politics, he despised partisan politics and was no prisoner to them. I recall he made mild criticisms of a budget in which his party was involved and, equally, he praised one in which alternative parties were involved. That was the kind of person he was. He was a very gentle person and very shy as Deputy Owen said. He was a busy and successful businessman, an accomplished sportsman and a happy family man. In such circumstances many people would not enter politics but as Peter Barry said the ideal of public service motivated Hugh Coveney. He loved Cork city and county and its people. During the 1994 by-election, I met many people who said they supported party x or party y but were voting for Hugh Coveney. He was highly respected and admired.

Last year we held a tribute to Pearse Wyse in Cork on a Wednesday evening and Hugh Coveney came down from the Northern Ireland talks to be in attendance and returned the following morning. He did not mind going out of his way to pay tribute to a political opponent. He was a great ambassador for Fine Gael and politics and was the type of politician who gave politics a good name. We are diminished by his passing as he was a gentleman in every sense. He was a stylish, kind, courteous person on all occasions.

I recall my last conversation with him when we spoke about the economy, the taxation system and about how difficult it was on occasion to get people of calibre to enter politics because of the invasion of privacy, etc. We had a long conversation and had a great deal in common on these issues. I had the privilege of meeting some of his seven wonderful children earlier. Our loss is nothing in comparison with theirs and that of his wife, Pauline. We understand and sympathise with them.

It is significant that he died when his children were taking his boat around the world to raise money for Chernobyl. That sums up the kind of person we are talking about. We have lost a politician of substance who had very strong views, but notwithstanding them, he was never afraid to listen to an alternative point of view. In his death, I hope we learn something and his legacy is that perhaps we should be more supportive of each other on occasions as sometimes the adversarial system takes over to too great an extent. It did not in the case of Hugh Coveney who had friends all around the House. We greatly admired and respected him and I hope his family know and understand that.

Proinsias De Rossa

Like everybody else in the House, it was with a sense of shocked disbelief that I heard first that Hugh was missing and then that he had been found dead. Nothing we can say will help to ease the pain his wife and children feel but I hope in time the regard he is held in will help. He is a loss to the House and Irish politics. He was a man with enormous qualities who was sensitive, generous and open. I like to think in the time that I got to know him not only did I learn from him but that he picked up some sense of what I was about.

I came to regard him as a good friend. He played a significant role in putting the rainbow Government together and argued strongly for the inclusion of Democratic Left because he recognised all politicians in the House have a role to play and there is no reason anyone should be excluded from Government. He also played an enormous role in keeping that Government together through his openness, generosity and his willingness to listen to other points of view and take them on board, as the Tánaiste said. In many respects, we came from opposites poles on the political spectrum but we also found a common purpose. He was driven by a sense of public service and saw how that might be delivered through his politics and I through mine.

The House, Irish politics, his wife, Pauline, and his children have suffered a grievous loss and the way in which he was taken from them makes it an even deeper one but I hope the sense of loss will be eased and the great respect in which he was held will help.

Mr. Sargent

On behalf of the Green Party, I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy on the sad, untimely and tragic death of Hugh Coveney. My party was not represented when he first served in the House. Between his first election and his return in 1994 politics had changed as more parties had entered the fray and issues had also changed but it seems whatever changes occurred, they did not change Hugh Coveney who had clear ideas about politics and how they should be practised. It was this consistent gentlemanly approach that has been most commented upon since his death.

A mutual friend, Adi Roche, also asked me to pass on expressions of sympathy given the fantastic work his family was doing for the Chernobyl Children's Project. She said the innocent victims of Chernobyl have lost a dear and generous friend in the tragic death of Hugh Coveney. He was one of the most generous spirited men she ever knew, always giving generously of his time and energy.

I felt there was hope for our fishing communities and the marine environment generally when Hugh Coveney was Minister for Defence and the Marine. Many fishermen, sailors, and members of the Defence Forces feel that a light has gone out on their hopes for the future. In the intense goldfish bowl world that is modern politics we all could learn from Hugh Coveney how to appreciate the truly important things in life, for instance one's family. The notion of public life as public service is an important ideal which Hugh Coveney lived to the fullest. He had been successful in practically every other aspect of life and had no need to enter public life to enhance his self image. He could have walked away at the times when the electorate told him that others, not him, would serve them. It was this quality of service which made him something of an enigma. While most politicians are paranoid about their future, Hugh Coveney always gave the impression that it was an honour to serve and that other elements of his life, particularly his family, had an even greater importance. It is they more than anyone who will miss him most. God bless them. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

As a constituency colleague of the late Hugh Coveney, I extend sympathy to his family. The people of Cork have still not come to terms with the loss of Hugh Coveney. There is an air of disbelief on the streets that our beloved city has lost such a distinguished political and sporting son. The thousands of people who lined the streets of Cork for the removal and Mass was a very eloquent testimony to the very high esteem in which Hugh Coveney was held. Never before was there such an outpouring across all shades of opinion in Cork as there was at the loss of this wonderful person.

His abiding characteristics were gentleness, kindness and courtesy. He always wanted to affirm the good in people. He was not one to detract or undermine. Never for him the cheap political gibe or publicity stunt. He never deliberately tried to trip someone up in the conduct of his duty. Rather he was anxious to tell a person of the good things and encourage them to press ahead with the initiatives in which they were engaged. Obviously he had a tremendous interest in Cork and in the advancement of projects there. This stemmed from his commitment to the business and industrial life of Cork. His love affair with the people of Cork began during his time as a dynamic and distinguished Lord Mayor of the city. He and his wife Pauline were a distinguished couple and their mayoralty of Cork left a lasting impression on the public mindset.

He was a very frank individual. The first time I learned that Fianna Fáil had a chance of winning three seats in Cork South-Central during the last general election was when Hugh confided to me three months previously that his opinion polls pointed in this direction. During the election campaign he deliberately tried to reduce his vote. He would unquestionably have won 12,000 or 13,000 votes but he was anxious to get the right result for the Fine Gael Party. He did this most admirably. He was a unique politician. As I have stated on the public airwaves, if an eager beaver young politician arrived at a church to hand out cards Hugh, calmly and with a smile on his face, would offer to move on to the next church. The representatives of Cork South-Central will miss him as he set the tone in terms of how we behave towards one another and the relationships we enjoy.

Those of us who attended the funeral ceremony will remember the wonderful nobility and courage of his family in their tributes to him. In their eloquent contributions they showed what a wonderful family man he was. The love for him which shone through that ceremony will long be remembered in the city of Cork.

Ms Clune

I welcome the opportunity to pay tribute to my former party and constituency colleague, Hugh Coveney. The extent to which Hugh Coveney was respected is evident from the many tributes paid to him today and during the past week.

I knew Hugh since I was a child as a neighbour and family friend and it was only in the 1994 by-election that I became involved in his political career. We were both elected last year to represent Cork South-Central on behalf of Fine Gael. That was a very proud day for me. I had a very supportive colleague in Hugh Coveney and many of my colleagues in all parties envied the help he gave me over the past six months.

The people of Cork miss Hugh Coveney and mourn his loss. However, the greatest loss is for Pauline and his family who have lost a husband, father and friend. They gained much from him and had some good times, but not enough. Hugh was everybody's friend. Everyone felt they could approach him. No matter how trivial the request, he was always available and courteous. As a Front Bench spokesperson he was always very helpful to new Deputies.

Hugh was open and straightforward. He had no hidden agenda; what one saw was what one got. He had a wonderful sense of public service. He was elected to do a job and he did it in an efficient and businesslike manner. He had great confidence in his own abilities and did not need to react to others, to undermine them or to make personal attacks for political gain. He had the confidence and sense of right to do things his way.

Hugh Coveney portrayed what people want of politicians, to get on with the business of representing them. This was evident in the huge vote he received in Cork South-Central last June. As the Minister, Deputy Martin said, his vote would have been much higher if he had not focused on trying to increase Fine Gael's representation in the city.

Those of us elected to the House last June and since should never forget Hugh Coveney. We should always carry with us his true sense of public service.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a gabháil le muintir Coveney ar bhás Aodha. I join other Members in paying tribute to the memory of the late Hugh Coveney. I extend my sympathy and that of my party to his wife and family on their tragic loss.

During my short time as a Member I regrettably only had a few occasions to speak with Hugh Coveney. On each occasion I had that pleasure I knew I was speaking with someone who was sincere and interested. We shared an interest in the unfolding events in the peace process, an issue he broached with me on a number of occasions. He struck me as a person of great character. He showed an interest and was very much a representative of all the people who elected him to this House.

His family has undoubtedly suffered the greatest loss, but I also extend my sympathy to his party colleagues. Hugh Coveney was public spirited and interested in serving not only his constituency but also his country and his loss is felt by his family, party and all those who view this island as home. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. L. Burke

Hugh Coveney was one of the finest people I knew. He was a kind, gentle and unassuming man. His simplicity was greatly admired not only by the people of Cork but by all the people. He was a great listener and compromiser. He was a class act and a breed apart and his contribution to the commercial and public life of Cork is unprecedented. He was president of the Cork Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Cork Harbour Commissioners. He was elected to Cork Corporation as an alderman in 1979, was Lord Mayor from 1982 to 1983 and was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981. He was greatly admired not only by me but by the people of Cork and his death is a terrible blow not only to Cork but to Ireland. He is a great loss to the Fine Gael Party in Cork and to his wife Pauline, his six sons and one daughter. I am glad to see two of his sons, Simon and Rory, in the Gallery. I extend my deepest sympathy to his family and may God grant him eternal rest.

Members rose.