Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 3

Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy.

The Taoiseach

We extend our sympathy to the family of Patrick Shanahan who was elected to the Dáil in a by-election in 1945. The election was caused by the sudden death of Paddy Burke, a Fine Gael Deputy. In the succeeding ballot Patrick Shanahan won 72% of the vote of 21,500, a sweeping victory which gave Fianna Fáil four of the five seats in the constituency of Clare. The 1948 election, which Fianna Fáil lost after 16 years in Govenment, saw Patrick Shanahan lose his seat. He continued in the county council until 1955. He is survived by two sons and two daughters.

While I never met Patrick Shanahan, a few years ago I had the privilege of meeting his brother who died shortly afterwards. He told me about the activities in which Patrick Shanahan had been involved throughout his life. His brother was particularly proud of the fact that Patrick, who lived near the sea, had been involved in many rescue operations and had saved a number of people from the sea over the years. They included the crew of a German warplane which had come down into the sea during the war.

Patrick Shanahan was 92 years of age. I extend the sympathy of the Fianna Fáil Party and the Government to his sons and daughters.

Mr. J. Bruton

It is strange that there is no person currently serving in the House who served with Patrick Shanahan. Indeed, even the longest serving Member of the House for many years, the late Deputy Neil Blaney, did not serve with Patrick Shanahan because he was elected to the Dáil in the election in which Patrick Shanahan lost his seat.

The Taoiseach has paid tribute to the memory of Patrick Shanahan, a long standing Fianna Fáil member of Clare County Council. Patrick Shanahan was involved in a number of important rescues. Interestingly, my information is that the rescue in which he took part in 1941, for which he won the Royal Humane Society award, was actually the rescue of the crew of a British plane. However, maybe he was involved in a second rescue.

The Taoiseach

I will not argue.

Mr. J. Bruton

As we know, Ireland and Fianna Fáil were neutral at the time—

Mr. Cowen

As were elements of Fine Gael.

Mr. J. Bruton

—and would have been happy to save all lives.

It is worth recalling that Patrick Shanahan, who died at the age of 92 years, links us to the War of Independence. His brother was executed for his part in that war after being captured by the Black and Tans. It is appropriate at this time, when the sacrifices that families made in different and many ways to secure our independence are easily forgotten, to recall a man who served his country as Patrick Shanahan did.

Mr. Quinn

On behalf of the Labour Party I extend our condolences to the Fianna Fáil Party and, more particularly, to the Shanahan family on the loss after 92 years of Mr. Patrick Shanahan. I cannot help but wonder, as might the Leas-Cheann Comhairle given his medical background, whether there is a lesson for the rest of us in the fact that somebody who served only three years in this House managed to survive for another 52 years. Members who have served in the Dáil for longer than we care to remember might wonder if a lesson can be learned with regard to the longevity of Mr. Shanahan's life after his short time in Dáil Éireann. He clearly had an interesting life and political career and we extend our sympathy to his family.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

Thar cheann an Pháirtí Daonlathaigh ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Patrick Shanahan a bhí tréimhse ina bhall den Teach seo agus a thug ard-seirbhís le linn an tréimhse sin do dháilcheantar Chontae an Chláir agus don tír seo. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

As one of the public representatives for County Clare, I extend my sympathy to the family of Pat Shanahan. He gave great service to this country and to his party. We think of him in the context of the stories we have heard about him and, indeed, the many stories he was able to tell his colleagues. His family, of course, will remember him in a different and special way. I wish to be associated with the condolences extended to the family.

Mr. Daly

On my own behalf, and on behalf of my constituents, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of the late Patrick Shanahan. He was a Member of the House for just three years but he was very much involved with Fianna Fáil in Clare and served on Clare County Council for ten years. Although the tragic murder of his brother by the Black and Tans left an indelible mark on Patrick Shanahan, he held no bitterness and was always anxious to end the hatred and bitterness that were generated by both the War of Independence and the Civil War. He worked for many years to restore good relations between the people, especially those who were involved in the Civil War politics of that time.

He had a long and distinguished career in farming, to which he turned his attention after his term in Dáil Éireann, and established a successful dairy enterprise in west Clare. Most of his old friends and comrades predeceased him but he will be remembered in Clare for the work he did on the county council and during his short-term as a Dáil Deputy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Members rose.

The Taoiseach

Having spoken about a former Deputy whom we did not know well, we speak now about the former Deputy Tom McEllistrim, whom most Members on this side of the House will remember well. He served in the House for many years and gave loyal and faithful service to the Fianna Fáil Party.

Tom came from a strong republican tradition which saw his father serve valiantly in the War of Independence and subsequently in Dáil Éireann from 1923 to 1969. Tom then served the people of north Kerry for more than 20 years with the same determination, dedication and loyalty. Tom's son continues that political tradition at local level.

Tommy Mac had a great love of his church, community, sport, county, politics and his family. His loss is a loss for all his loves. He was never slow about expressing his views and was prepared to speak out strongly in this House, at local level and in the parliamentary party, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will recall. He led the way in many debates, particularly when arguing for the south west and his native north Kerry.

Tom was born on 15 January 1932 and he became a member of the county council in 1967, where he served with distinction until 1992. He lost his seat for one term following a close election which will be remembered well by Deputy Spring. That was the subject of many stories and Tommy enjoyed telling those stories as much as anybody else. I have heard so many different versions, I am not sure which one is true. He continued to have a very strong interest and relationship with Fianna Fáil. A farewell, political party gathering was due to take place last Friday week but it was cancelled a few weeks ago as his health was deteriorating. He was proud to become a Minister of State at the Department of Finance in 1979-81, where he had responsibility for the Office of Public Works, and at the Department of Fisheries and Forestry in 1982. When I was a young Deputy the Office of Public Works was introducing mobile exchanges, which was a major issue, and I found him to be a very helpful Minister of State.

Rural funerals can be large but the size of Tom's funeral speaks for itself. The crowd filed past his coffin to his family from 4.30 p.m. until 9.30 p.m., something that would not happen in this city. This was an enormous tribute and respect to him.

I was asked about my stories of Tom McEllistrim by Radio Kerry and I gave a few good ones. I remember in 1978 as a young Member of 25 years of age, and not having much experience of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party rooms, hearing Tom announce that the civil war in Kerry had ended. This struck me as peculiar but, as I got to know him over the years, I began to understand the way he saw things. He was a good man and people will tend to remember him for his support for Charles Haughey. He was a tremendous and hard worker for his constituents. He served very well on local issues. Through the years, even since his departure from politics, his interventions were in regard to schools, roads and local authority issues and people will always have memories of him in that regard. His family would like him remembered for the way he served the people of north Kerry and the work he did. Appreciation was shown by all sides of the political divide by the attendance at his funeral last week.

He carried the flag of Fianna Fáil straight and blunt. He was not a person who went under the counter about standing up for people and was respected by everyone. The Fianna Fáil Party extends its sympathies to his wife Marie, son Thomas and daughter Ann and is thankful for Tom's loyal service and to his family for allowing him give so much to the Fianna Fáil Party through the years.

Mr. J. Bruton

On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I join in expressing sympathy to Tom McEllistrim's wife, Marie and his son and daughter on their great loss. It is testament to Tom McEllistrim's pride in his membership of this House and of the Seanad that recently when the President gave a reception for all former Members, despite very visible bad health, he travelled all the way from Ballymacelligott to Dublin to meet his colleagues and share in the celebration of the service that he and others gave in this House over a long time. As has been recalled, he was the son of the legendary Tom McEllistrim, T.D., one of the founder members of this House and the Fianna Fáil Party.

Frequently reference is made to the existence of dynasties in politics in a pejorative sense, but it is fair to say the McEllistrims served beliefs – not necessarily shared by everyone – which were held with deep sincerity by both Tom McEllistrim senior and junior. He was educated in St. Brendan's College, Killarney, a college which has produced so many of those who preside over us and of which he was proud. He was a member of Kerry County Council from 1967 onwards and, as the Taoiseach said, he will be greatly missed by his colleagues in the Fianna Fáil Party and by the people of Kerry on both sides of the divide. There will be great rejoicing in Kerry at the news that the civil war has ended.

Mr. Quinn

On behalf of the Labour Party, I extend sincere condolences, in the first instance, to the McEllistrim family, his widow Marie, his son and daughter and to the Fianna Fáil Party which has lost a stalwart who served in this House over many years. When he served in the Office of Public Works as a Minister of State he had among other things, responsibility for the Concert Hall project, which encountered a number of difficulties. He took a great interest in the project and ensured it was completed. As Deputy Bruton said, he was a member of a political dynasty which, perhaps, we may not see again. He was very committed to represent politics and, while we may not have agreed with him on occasions, we shared his passion for politics.

Mr. Molloy

Ba mhaith liom, thar cheann mo pháirtí comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann McEllistrim as a gcailliúint mór. Ba shean cara linn Tom McEllistrim agus bhí sé ina chomhalta den Teach seo. On behalf of the Progressive Democrats Party I extend sincere sympathy to the McEllistrim family on the loss of Tom who was, of course, our old friend and colleague. I had the privilege of serving, not only with Tom in 1969 when he succeeded his father who had been elected in 1923, but also with his father. Reference was made to Tom's allegiance to the former leader of Fianna Fáil, Mr. Haughey. I remind the Taoiseach and the House of an earlier leadership battle in Fianna Fáil when it was decided by some senior members that, in order to avoid the battle, Jack Lynch should be asked to put his name forward. One of the senior members of the party who approached Jack Lynch on that occasion was, of course, Tom McEllistrim senior who was a member of this House for a long time, almost since the foundation of the State.

There is no doubt Tom had a passionate interest in Kerry, politics and the Fianna Fáil Party and served them to the best of his ability. It was a pleasure to have known him and it is a matter of great sadness and regret to see he has parted from us at a relatively young age. He was young to be called to his eternal reward and he will be missed by many people. In his inimitable way he addressed this House on many occasions and on many issues long before the introduction of television cameras. He fought the battle for his constituents in a very colourful way and was very successful. He was honoured when he was appointed Minister of State on two occasions. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Spring

I join with the Taoiseach, party leaders and Deputy Molloy in offering my sympathy to the late Tom McEllistrim's family, his widow, Marie, his son, Thomas, and daughter, Ann, on their loss. North Kerry has lost a politician of standing, a man who served the people of Kerry very well in this House, just as his father Tom had done before him. As was mentioned by the Taoiseach, I have reason to remember him better than most in this House in many respects. I have four good reasons for remembering him from 1987 and, to my dying day, I will be glad the bus driver decided to go to south Kerry before north Kerry because, to the best of my knowledge, there were at least five solid Fianna Fáil students on that bus, if one can ever trust students. Tom was very proud of his achievements, both in Kerry County Council and in Dáil Éireann, especially when he was honoured by being made a Minister of State. With Tom McEllistrim, what you saw was what you got. I would not always have agreed with his views, either his historical perspective or otherwise, but one could always deal with him on a straight basis.

Prior to his being on Radio Kerry yesterday, the Taoiseach probably did not hear an interview with Tom McEllistrim conducted by an historian. He gave his loyalty to the former leader of Fianna Fáil, the former Deputy Haughey, and he was asked if, before he proposed Mr. Haughey for the leadership, his sacking from Cabinet before the arms trial had bothered him. Tom McEllistrim said: "That stuff never bothered me". When he praised Mr. Haughey as a great Minister for Agriculture, the interviewer put it to him that the IFA would not agree with him. He said: "Don't bother about them; they're all Fine Gael". Tom had his opinions and he told them. He always did so as a county councillor and in the House.

His family have great memories of a loyal public servant and a man who was very proud of and steeped in the Fianna Fáil tradition. The Taoiseach is convinced the Civil War is over but perhaps he had better speak to Fianna Fáil in north Kerry before he is convinced.

Mr. Deenihan

As a constituency colleague of Tom McEllistrim, I join previous speakers in their expressions of sympathy to the McEllistrim family. The family has made a major and unselfish contribution to politics since the foundation of the State and has given an unselfish commitment to the people of north Kerry which continues to the present day with Councillor Tom McEllistrim taking on the family mantle. Like Deputy Spring, I dispute the Taoiseach's conviction that the Civil War has ended in Kerry. I remember some great occasions when I first came into politics when I had some very good personal encounters with Tom in front of church gates throughout north Kerry. I always give way to seniority but I never gave way to his analysis of where we came from.

That said, I enjoyed a very good working relationship with Tom McEllistrim, both in this House and on Kerry County Council. I always found him up front. What you saw was what you got. There was nothing underhand about the man; he was always very straightforward. It is a trait which seems to be absent from politics today, but he was certainly a straight individual, and I always admired him for that. Kerry politics and Irish politics will be at a loss without him.

Members rose.