In accordance with usual practice, the Taoiseach makes the proposal and the leader of the party of the deceased Member leads the expressions of sympathy.
Deaths of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy
I so propose.
Táimid bailithe anseo inniu chun ár n-ómós agus ár meas dár gcara dílis, John Carty, a chur in iúl. Fear lách, cineálta agus gnóthach ab ea John. D'oibrigh sé go dian dícheallach, Domhnach is dálach, ar son mhuintir Mhaigh Eo agus ar son mhuintir na tíre. Bhí muinín aige as a mhuintir. Bhí siad compordach leis agus muinín acu as chomh maith. Bhí suim faoi leith aige i gcúrsaí talmhaíochta agus, gan amhras, i nithe a bhain le forbairt na tuaithe. Bhain sé taitneamh as a shaol polaitíochta. Duine nádúrtha agus an-chairdiúil ab ea é.
Today is a bittersweet moment for the family of the late John Carty. It is a time to mark the passing of a beloved family man and to remember his life's work and legacy and, in particular, his contribution to parliamentary democracy. His family will have special, intimate memories of John to cherish. I hope that today we can show some sense of the deep affection in which he was held by the public and by the Members of this House.
On behalf of my party and on my own behalf, I acknowledge the presence of John's family and again express our sincere sympathies to his wife, Kathleen, his children, Lisa, Ciara, James, Cathal, John Henry, Eamonn, Caoimhín and Iarla, his brother, Michael, and sisters, Anne and Joan.
It is only right and proper that we take some time today, in the people's Chamber, to pay our respect to a man of the people. John Carty embodied the best of a local representative. He was steeped in his community. His warm personal approach stretched across his constituency. He always had time for a chat, a cup of tea and a kind word, and always had a listening ear for people's problems. He knew his home and its people intimately. He had a keen eye for family detail that reached back deep into local history. His approach to politics was one of empathy, understanding and patience. It was the mark of the man.
We cannot talk about John Carty without talking of his beloved home county. John was a true son of Mayo, loyal to a fault. He carried the torch for the Fianna Fáil Party in Mayo across all levels of the organisation in countless campaigns over the decades. He believed in public service and lived that out at grassroots level with the party with which he threw in his lot.
On these benches, we can take pride in the work and effort of decent men and women like John Carty who believed in politics as a way to better one's community and to make a fundamental difference to the quality of life of others. I am proud that he chose Fianna Fáil as the vehicle through which he could strive to improve his community, his county and his country.
When he topped the poll for election to Mayo County Council in 1999, his hard work on the ground and genuine warmth was rightly rewarded. With his warm personality he built up a strong reputation, and when called upon to contest the general election, he answered proudly. His endeavour on behalf of his local constituents in Mayo earned him a hard-won place as a Government representative for the county in 2002.
Over five years, he fought the corner for his county. His background in agriculture helped to shape his work. As a younger man he crisscrossed the island as an agriculture officer and brought this wealth of experience to bear in the Oireachtas. He worked assiduously all the while for his electorate. Among his proudest achievements was the continued investment in Knock Airport. Following in the footsteps of his old friend, the late P.J. Morley, he defended and fought for the airport as the west's link to the world. In his own words, "The jewel in the crown in Mayo is Knock Airport." His work there will always be remembered with every flight to and from the fields of Barnacuige.
Here in this House he will be remembered with great affection. He had a quick wit and was a lively and enjoyable storyteller who always had a glint in his eye when we were talking about another colleague. He always had time for a chat and was a solid and welcome companion to all Members. He continued that tradition in the Upper House after 2007. His career encompassed countless cups of tea, and maybe something else now and again, endless conversations and long cumann meetings into the dark of night, all heartfelt and genuine.
His work and effort will endure. The empathy of the man, his deep grá for where he came from and a connection deep in his marrow are things we should never lose in Irish politics. He was a true gentleman who brought an abiding sense of humanity to our politics. Mayo has lost a loyal and faithful servant, and his family a beloved husband, brother and father. I trust they can take comfort in a life of service and commitment to something greater. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
As Taoiseach I would like to convey my sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the late former Deputy and Senator, John Carty. He was a good friend of mine who passed away last January. He was a family man, and along with Kathleen, and despite the demands of political life he always made time for his priority which was his family and his eight children, James, Lisa, Cathal, John Henry, Eamonn, Caoimhín, Iarla and Ciara.
John was always a popular personality and public representative in his famous home of Knock, the larger town of Claremorris and across County Mayo. In public life as a councillor, Deputy and Senator he served the people of his county and his locality with conviction, commitment and dedication. He never turned anybody away from his door and always listened to the stories and cases brought before him, irrespective of from where they came. His brother Michael followed him into politics and served on Mayo County Council.
John Carty was a dedicated public servant. He had his priorities right. He got to know farmers and the farming community as an official of the Department of Agriculture for many years. He had a great passion for the agrisector. Through his work in Seanad Éireann, in particular, he made an enormous contribution to the agriculture panel. He liked to speak about a subject he knew so well. In that regard, he gained great respect from all in the agriculture sector.
I commiserate with Deputy Martin's party on the loss to Fianna Fáil. It has a proud tradition of public service, including that of John Carty. While we may not be of the same party, we recognise a common willingness to serve the public is at the core of all politics, and he exemplified that during his time here. On many occasions when I spoke to him in the environs of this House he commented, as Deputy Martin pointed out, on the circumstances which applied within the party, other personalities or aspiring personalities, and his view, in no uncertain language, on them.
He was well known and well respected as the promoter and owner of a long-standing business in Knock. I was very glad and privileged that I had the opportunity to attend the removal in his house after his death. It is all to easy to use an old cliché, but John Carty was one of nature's gentlemen. He is missed by all those who knew him. I can see his face and hear his voice. I remember his ways of making the case for something that was of interest to him. We all miss him.
I can quite truthfully say to Kathleen and his family that he was a man who had his priorities right, namely, family first and everybody else after that. Aontaím leis an Teachta. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Cara mór dom féin a bhí ann le blianta fada.
Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann John Carty atá anseo linn inniu. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a dhéanamh le Fianna Fáil fosta agus le muintir Mhaigh Eo. Ní raibh aithne agam ar John, ach bhí aithne mhaith ag an Teachta Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin air. Dúirt seisean liomsa gur fear ciúin a bhí ann, fear a raibh meas aige ar dhaoine agus grá mór aige do mhuintir agus do Chontae Mhaigh Eo.
I did not know John personally, but Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin did and tells me that he was a quiet, unassuming and good-natured Member of the Oireachtas and was very respectful to everyone else in the Oireachtas. I listened very intently to what the leader of Fianna Fáil said. His family should be very proud to hear such a ringing endorsement of John's service to the people and the Fianna Fáil Party. Many times the families of people in public life have to take a back seat. He served Mayo as a councillor, Deputy and Senator on the agriculture panel. The Taoiseach has elaborated on how he dealt with farming issues and was an advocate for people in rural Ireland.
Mayo is a wonderful county and is so much part of what we are as a people. It has suffered grievously over a long time. John's connection with Knock Airport will be a major tribute to the work he did on behalf of the people of Mayo. He was only 63 years of age. I remember when all of us thought that was old, but it is relatively young. Of all the people who in here, in Fianna Fáil, Claremorris or Mayo who miss him, those who will miss him most are his family. There is a hole in their lives they will have to work around.
They should be very proud of their father and husband. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
I wish to share time with Deputy Mattie McGrath.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
On behalf of the Dáil Technical Group and Independent Deputies, let me say that the death of Mr. John Carty was a terrible loss, particularly to his family but also around the Dáil, and to his friends and his constituents in Mayo. For his wife, Kathleen, his daughters, Lisa and Ciara, his sons James, Cathal, John Henry, Eamonn, Caoimhín and Iarla, and siblings, Michael, Joan and Anne, it was such a sad blow to lose such a wonderful and loving husband, father and brother. Although John was involved in public life, his family have to come first. That sense of loss and sadness is very difficult for all of them. It is worth knowing that we are, across the political spectrum in the Dáil, thinking of them because we all liked John. That is a constant message that his family will hear today.
Deputy Martin said at the time of Mr. Carty's death that he was one of life's true gentlemen, and that is the way everybody in this House felt about John Carty. He was one of life's true gentlemen. I totally agree with the sentiment as he was admired, loved and respected around this House. It is important for his family to know that, as he would have been so busy running around the constituency and this Dáil. He was liked, loved and respected by all colleagues in this House. John was a man of great compassion who fought hard for his Mayo community. He was a diligent public representative. He died so young, as he had a lot more to give in this life.
Mr. Carty served on Mayo County Council between 1999 and 2002, and I was a member of Dublin City Council in 1999. He was elected to the Dáil in 2002, when I was first elected to this House. He later served in the Seanad. Around this House, I liked John's warmth, his sense of humour and his great generosity. He was particularly loyal to agriculture and small business communities, especially in Mayo and the west. He was their voice in the Dáil but he was always open to other issues as well that were pushed by other Deputies in the House. He was great fun and he used to have great craic winding up many Independent Deputies. We would get a great laugh from that. We loved it and John enjoyed it as well.
He will be missed deeply. To Kathleen and the Carty family, on behalf of Independent Deputies in the Dáil Technical Group I convey our sincerest sympathy and best wishes. I hope they will learn to deal with the terrible and sad loss of John.
I am delighted to welcome the Carty family here today. I was a friend of John's and I knew him from working here, especially on the agriculture committee. As has been noted by many, he had a sharp wit, keen intellect and interest in and enthusiasm for agricultural matters and the committee. I could recount some very joyous occasions we had when we went to Agriculture House to meet the then Tánaiste and Minister responsible for agriculture, former Deputy Mary Coughlan, as well as a later Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith. When there were serious issues on the table, John always provided a sharp jibe and entertained us all, although the occasions might have been fraught because we were anxious about issues in our constituencies.
John was a true Irishman, dedicated to his family and his constituency. I took a further interest as both John's daughter, Ciara, and my own daughter met at a football game. John got a pairing arrangement so he could attend it in the midlands but I failed to do so. He came back the following day with a glint in his eye as his daughter's team also got the trophy. Well done to them. He was a family man with an interest in all his family members and how they progressed. He is a major loss to the family, in the first instance, and to his constituents. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
The last occasion I remember John being present in this House was in June 2013, when we paid tribute to his great friend, confidant and neighbour, P.J. Morley. It is still hard to believe, nearly a year to the day from his death, that John has left us. Today we welcome Kathleen, Lisa, Ciara, James, Cathal, John Henry, Eamonn, Caoimhín and Iarla, as well as the extended Carty, Regan and Byrne families. We also have some of his colleagues, as I see former Deputies John Ellis, Johnny Brady and Eamon Scanlon, as well as many of his friends.
John had many traits, including decency, integrity and public service. He was very republican-minded and independent. He learned those traits right across this country as an agricultural officer and brought them to the halls of this building both as a Deputy and a Senator. He had a fantastic sense of humour and a sense of unbelievable mischief. There was no better man to hop a ball and leave while the ball left disruption after it. Above all, he had 100% commitment to every job and task he took on. From his election to Mayo County Council in 1999 to his retirement from Seanad Éireann in 2011, he has left an impressive record of delivery across the county. There are dozens of schools, community and sporting facilities, water and road schemes that owe their existence to John Carty and his work. They were all delivered without fanfare or fuss. There are thousands of families across the county who sought John's intervention on personal matters and got that in a quiet, determined and focused fashion.
John was one of the first of Monsignor James Horan's airport disciples and he was there at the beginning of that dream. He travelled the highways and byways of this country seeking support for that dream and it is especially fitting that through John Carty's perseverance, hard work and commitment, he was able to secure €26 million for the airport, meaning it can be on the footing it has today.
Politics was not everything for John, which should be a lesson for all of us. He had a rich and varied life outside this House and a lifelong interest in history, especially family history. He could tell anybody about his relations going back through generations. His expertise in the area was captured on the morning of his funeral by Fr. Richard Gibbons, the parish priest at Knock, who mused at Mass that morning that John was probably at that time telling our Lord that his people were not originally from Nazareth but went behind that.
He was most proud of his family. We revelled in the tales he shared of his family's various and varied adventures and he was proud of each and every family member. He always said that Kathleen was the rock on which he was able to serve politics in anything he did and on which his fantastic family was built. He was happiest when he was in Carrowmore with all his family and friends around him. We miss him as a colleague and friend and we cannot begin to imagine how his family misses him. One never left him without feeling better. He occasionally would burst into song and one of his favourite lines was from "Oklahoma!" and he would say "there's a bright golden haze on the meadow". Wherever John Carty is today, there is a very bright golden haze. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
I welcome the Carty family. It is a sad day and a proud day. It is a sad day for the family because they have lost a husband and a father, somebody who was very loyal to the family. As Deputy Calleary has said, the family were also very loyal to him. He loved his family, county and Fianna Fáil.
I served with John on Mayo County Council for many years and I also served with him here in the Dáil. If I could describe him in a few words, it would be as a thorough gentleman. He was a good colleague and friend, and he was somebody with a bit of decency in him. One could depend on him and if somebody entered an agreement with John Carty, that agreement was held. He would not go behind anybody's back. I enjoyed his company and, as previous speakers have noted, he loved the county and Knock, particularly the airport. I am sure that today he and Monsignor Horan are up there. John would have a family tree and I would tell him to put it away as he would find more Fianna Fáil people to vote for him. He was just great.
John never got annoyed or really got aggravated. He could work with the Ministers and Government of the day. He certainly delivered for County Mayo. Sometimes the media might forget the love which a family has for a father who may be a national politician who is working hard and doing the best he can for his family, county and country.
As politicians we get abuse, and we are lucky to have families. John Carty was lucky with Kathleen and the beautiful family he had and to have the loyalty of his brother and sisters. He was a great colleague, a great friend and will be sadly missed. He will be missed by Fianna Fáil but, in particular, by his family whom I welcome to the House.
I would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy for John Carty and I welcome Kathleen and all the Carty family here. I share with them the deep sense of loss they have experienced, following the death of a husband, a father and a brother. I knew John Carty as a community worker and an activist long before either of us got involved in representative politics. I knew of his community work for the people of Knock and beyond. I met him on many occasions at Aghamore GAA club when he was supporting his family members playing for his club. He may have been quiet and unassuming in terms of his involvement in his community but that never took away from the diligent way he worked for, and on behalf, of his community. He was from, and worked for, his people. We may have been political rivals when both of us were elected over recent years but the one thing I would say - maybe it is a lesson to politicians on all sides of the House – is that John Carty was always willing to engage in an issue. He wanted issues solved for Mayo and the region. He did that in an inoffensive way. He wanted to find a solution rather than insult anybody on the way to getting that solution. We are with all the family in their deep sense of loss.
I am pleased to add to the tributes to John Carty and to express my sympathy to the Carty and Regan families on the passing of John. I knew John but did not serve on the county council at the same time as him, nor was I a Member of the Dáil at the same time as him. However, I knew him from the radio and from meeting him around the county, whether at a funeral, a public meeting or some event. He was a very affable man and he was a really hard worker. He was persistent and had a style about him which was to persist. It was never about insulting anybody, which made him very well liked across the board, whether one was from Fianna Fáil or from whatever political persuasion. He worked very hard in the Knock and Claremorris areas and, in particular, in east Mayo. He left his mark, in particular in regard to his expertise in the field of agriculture which he brought to bear on his work for the people of Mayo. I express my appreciation as a Deputy and as someone from the county for the work he did.
The Carty house in Knock is an open house, whether that was through the children or John and Kathleen. They are at the heart of the community and John was well known throughout the whole county on a personal level. He was a great friend of P.J. Morley, who has sadly passed away also.
As I said, we were not political adversaries, as Deputy O'Mahony described it, other than on one occasion when we were both on the 2007 general election ballot paper. However, I served with his brother Michael, who is here today, on Mayo County Council. John bore his illness with great courage, as did his family. He is a great loss to them, to his friends and to his former colleagues, both within Fianna Fáil and outside it. May his soul rest in peace.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to express our condolences to the late John Carty's family. Many colleagues spoke of John's time on Mayo County Council or in the Dáil but I knew him from his time in Seanad Éireann. I served in the previous Seanad and, like Deputy McCarthy, we have very fond memories of John. John spoke often and very affectionately about his family. He was a gentleman in all of his dealings and I do not think there was a person in these Houses who was not sad to hear of the passing of John. He left here with a very high reputation and was held in an extremely high esteem. Our thoughts go out to his family. May his soul rest in peace.
I would like to add my words of sympathy to the family. John was a good friend and a very fine public representative. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Members rose.