Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Return to Writ: Tipperary South. - Introduction of New Member.

The Clerk of the Dáil made the following announcement:

I gcomhlíonadh Bhuan-Ordú céad a seasca de na Buan-Orduithe i dtaobh Gnó Phoiblí, tá orm a chraoladh go ndearnadh, sa Chorrthoghchán a bhí ann an dóú lá is fiche de Mheitheamh, dha mhíle, de chionn an Teachta Micheál Ó Fearais d'fháil bháis, an comhalta seo a leanas a thoghadh don Dáil:–

In compliance with Standing Order 160 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, I have to announce that at the By-Election held on 22nd June, 2000, consequent on the death of Deputy Michael Ferris, the following member has been elected to the Dáil:–

Dáilcheantar Thiobraid Árann Theas

Constituency of Tipperary South .. .. Seamus Healy

Tá Rolla na gComhaltaí sínithe ag an Teachta de réir Bhuan-Ordú uimhir a hAon.

The Deputy has signed the Roll of Members in accordance with Standing Order No.1.

The Taoiseach

I welcome Deputy Healy to the Dáil and congratulate him, his family and his election workers on his election in the Tipperary South by-election. The Deputy will feel he has served a long political apprenticeship as a public representative in Clonmel. He was first elected to Clonmel Corporation 15 years ago and to Tipperary South Riding County Council in 1991. He has received a strong mandate to represent the people of Tipperary South in the House and on behalf of the Government I assure him that the concerns of those people are close to our hearts and we will continue the ambitious programme of investment in that constituency.

One's first day in the Dáil is always an important day which one remembers whatever happens. It is always a special day to come to the House with one's family and supporters. I wish Deputy Healy every success and congratulate him on his achievement. He has every right to feel very satisfied personally and I congratulate his workers on the job they have done.

I wish to mention the Fianna Fáil candidate, Barry O'Brien. He was an excellent candidate who worked extremely hard to achieve the nomination and during the campaign. He, his family and workers will naturally be very disappointed having waged a strong campaign but he has a good future in politics and I wish him well. However, today is a day for Deputy Healy and I welcome him to the House and congratulate him.

Mr. J. Bruton

This is a magnificent achievement by Deputy Healy. It is almost without precedent in political terms for an Independent to win a seat in this fashion. It is important to point out that this is not an overnight achievement but is the result of a long period of hard work by Deputy Healy on behalf of his constituents. It was plain to all who visited the homes of Tipperary that he is held in the highest esteem and I congratulate him.

I wish to say a word of consolation to the unsuccessful candidates. I commend particularly Fine Gael's candidate, Senator Tom Hayes, on the magnificent campaign he fought and the magnificent result achieved by the party. This would not have been possible without the unstinting support of Deputy Theresa Ahearn who stood beside the Fine Gael candidate, something which is very difficult for a sitting Deputy to do.

We should recognise that this day of happiness for Deputy Healy has occurred because of an event of great sadness, namely the death of Michael Ferris. No one will feel this loss more deeply than his widow, Ellen, and it was particularly hard for her to bear the events of the past number of weeks. She is a woman of great talent and ability and I have no doubt her party, which supported her loyally, will find a way to ensure her talents are used to the full in the public interest. We should not forget her on this important occasion.

While I will have occasion to criticise Fianna Fáil, I have nothing but praise for its candidate in Tipperary South. He is a decent man who carried out a very difficult job with dignity. That was particularly evident at the count and I commend him and his wife for upholding the best traditions of their party in adversity.

Mr. Quinn

On behalf of the Labour Party I heartily congratulate Deputy Healy on his spectacular victory. His election will have surprised even himself and his many friends and supporters, many of whom are in the Gallery. This is a wonderful day for the Healy family, for the Deputy's wife and children and for all those who worked so hard for this success.

A great Irishman from a neighbouring county, Val Doonican, once replied to a BBC chatshow host's well-informed comment about him being an overnight success that he was an overnight success after 20 years. The same could be said of Deputy Healy who has spent a long time seeking electoral office and first won local electoral office in the 1980s. For most of us, winning the support and trust of the electorate requires years of dedicated work and the Deputy has demonstrated such commitment. However, the Deputy should not get too comfortable, not because he is occupying a Labour Party seat, but because we may all be knocking on doors very soon. The Taoiseach should not dare look behind him.

Mr. Belton

He should look at those outside the House.

Mr. Quinn

I wish Deputy Healy happiness, success and productivity in the dying days of this terminally wounded Government.

Mr. Dempsey

The Deputy can dream on.

Mr. Quinn

Government Deputies should listen. Do I have to mention Harry Whelehan to them?

I appreciate Deputy John Bruton's remarks. While the Labour Party lost the seat it had a wonderful candidate in Ellen Ferris. Labour Party members from within and without the constituency who travelled to Tipperary South, or the "Costa del Suir" as I described it because of the wonderful weather during the campaign, were very proud of the campaign conducted by Ellen Ferris and the manner in which she was received across the county. The Labour Party will return to Tipperary South at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. Sargent

Ba mhaith liomsa chomh maith comhghairdeas a ghabháil thar ceann an Chomhaontas Glas leis an tUasal Séamus Healy, Teachta Dála, agus a rá go bhfuil fáilte 's fiche roimhe anseo mar dhuine neamspleách ag a bhfuil tacaíocht láidir óna dháilcheantar.

Our thoughts are also with Ellen Ferris and the other candidates who have to accept the decision, as difficult as that is, and all the circumstances which brought about the by-election which are fresh in their minds every day.

I agree with Deputy Bruton that Deputy Healy's election was exceptional and outstanding. However, it will not be all that unusual in light of the public's feelings. People are tired of the traditional political establishment and are baying for an election. Many would concur with Deputy Healy's message that an election is overdue. I agree with that sentiment and, notwithstanding that message, I wish him long years of active involvement in Dáil Éireann, whether in this or the next Dáil.

Mrs. T. Ahearn

I join with the warm, genuine and sincere words of welcome for Deputy Healy on his election in Tipperary South. Seeing the Deputy in the House brings back happy memories for all Members of the day we were first elected. No one should forget the privilege bestowed on us by the electorate in voting for us and electing us as their representative in this House.

Deputy Healy and I have been colleagues on Tipperary South Riding County Council and Clonmel Corporation, on which we disagreed on many issues. However, we have the good of the people in south Tipperary in common. I know Deputy Healy, the Minister of State, Deputy Davern, and I will work together for the benefit of south Tipperary. We hope our constituency, which was in the limelight during the by-election campaign, will be the real benefactor. This is a great and well-deserved day for Deputy Healy, his wife Mary and his wonderful team of workers who are an example to all of us. Those Members who have visited south Tipperary have seen how we conduct our political lives. We are rivals but we conduct our business in an honourable fashion. Perhaps if politics in the rest of the country was conducted in the same manner as in south Tipperary, there would be little need for tribunals.

I wish Deputy Healy a successful time in this House. I hope he will not have a rushed tour and he will be given some time to get used to the proceedings. While the people of south Tipperary have returned an Independent, they will always think it best that there should be a woman on the team.

Mr. Gregory

Ba mhaith liomsa freisin fáilte a chur roimh an Teachta Healy agus comhgháirdeas a dhéanamh leis. On my behalf and I am sure on behalf of my fellow Independents, I congratulate and welcome the newest Independent Member, Deputy Healy, to Dáil Éireann. I was delighted to see the people of south Tipperary, like the people of Dublin central nearly 20 years ago, elect an independent people's representative. I wish him well and hope he will be here for many years and many elections to come.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhgháirdeas a gabháil don Teachta Ó'hÉalaí as an toradh brea ar an fóthoghchán an seachtain seo caite. I extend congratulations on my own behalf and that of my party, Sinn Féin, throughout this country, to the newly elected Deputy for Tipperary South, Deputy Healy. For a member of a smaller party or an Independent to be successful in a general election is a significant achievement but for a representative of a smaller party or an Independent to win a by-election is a phenomenal achievement. Special congratulations must be extended to Deputy Healy on the many years of effort he has invested in forging this great success which is a deserved result after the many years of hard work he and his able team have expended in giving service at local level to the people of south Tipperary. I have no doubt the same energy, enthusiasm and determination will echo in this House in Deputy Healy's term. I hope he will be here for many terms to come as he has undoubtedly already proven himself to be an able and worthy representative of his people.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): On behalf of the Socialist Party, I congratulate Deputy Healy and commend the members of the Tipperary Workers and Unemployed Group. The result they have achieved is of enormous significance and cannot be under estimated. I hope the Government and the political establishment realise the depth of anger among ordinary people about the cronyism and sleaze in the establishment and the betrayal of the majority of ordinary people which is so evident. In electing a representative of working and unemployed people, who is in nobody's pocket, the people of south Tipperary are giving a lead to the people who will follow their lead at the earliest possible opportunity. I hope they have that opportunity without delay.

Mr. Rabbitte

Where do the Progressive Democrats stand on the election of Deputy Healy? Will they object to his appointment?