JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS debate -
Thursday, 9 Jun 2005

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

Chairman

This is a sad day for the Oireachtas. I propose that the committee express its sympathy to the wife and family of the late Seán Doherty, Cootehall, Boyle, County Roscommon. He was a great friend to every member and a capable and astute politician who did significant work on behalf of his constituents in County Roscommon. His political positions included Minister for Justice, Minister of State at that Department, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Deputy, Senator and member of Roscommon County Council.

Those of us who entered the Dáil in 1977 and served alongside Seán for 25 years have witnessed the transformation of our country from a Third World nation to a vibrant, young and dynamic economy. Members assisted this transformation by providing opportunities for Irish people to replicate here the contributions made by Irish emigrants to other nations. As Seán Doherty played a part in this transformation, his constituents in County Roscommon have suffered a significant loss. He will be especially remembered for the morning he called us together to take action on a tax incentive scheme for counties Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Cavan which he had initiated with the co-operation of colleagues from that region. As I represent counties Longford and Westmeath, I had an interest in this scheme and was delighted to support it. The benefits of this tax scheme may be seen today in the unprecedented opportunities it provided to the counties in question.

On behalf of this committee in general and members from Fianna Fáil in particular, I pay tribute to Seán Doherty for his dedicated service to both Houses. I had the pleasure of serving with him in the Seanad and the privilege of proposing him as Cathaoirleach. I have known him for more than 35 years and he was a great friend with a sharp wit. He made a significant difference to County Roscommon. I extend our condolences to his wife, Maura and his daughters, Rachel, Cara, Leah and Evelyn. I hope, because he was a man of strong faith, that we remember him in our prayers in the weeks, months and years to come.

Senator Leyden

I second the proposal to extend sympathies to the wife and daughters of Seán Doherty as well as to his grandchildren and sisters and brothers. Two weeks ago, I attended the funeral of his mother, Maureen, in Cootehall. It is tragic that he did not live to a riper old age. He was enjoying life outside the Oireachtas and had contributed significantly to Cootehall. He outlined to me his plans for further development of the area. He worked constantly to expand employment opportunities through tourism and other methods.

Between 1974 and 1991, I served with Seán on Roscommon County Council and we served as Deputies for the same constituencies and as Ministers. He was an extremely able person and had much to contribute. Had he remained a Minister, he would have done excellent work because he had the ideas and abilities to ensure that opportunities were created. He was an extraordinary character with a wonderful personality. His sudden loss is a tragedy to his family and to members of Fianna Fáil in County Roscommon and surrounding areas. He was known the length and breadth of the region. He received 45,000 or 50,000 votes in Connacht-Ulster when he ran for a seat on the European Parliament in 1989. Unfortunately, two elections were held simultaneously on that occasion. His loss is very sad for us all. I am grateful to have the opportunity to extend official sympathies to his family.

Deputy Hogan

On behalf of Fine Gael, I join committee members in extending sympathy to the wife and family of the late Seán Doherty as well as to his County Roscommon constituents. He was an excellent parliamentarian. Everybody who came in contact with him was impressed by his talent, intellect and wit. He was a great person to meet and his company was never boring. He was an astute politician and, while sometimes controversial, these controversies should not obliterate the good work he did for his constituency and country.

Deputy Callanan

I would also like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to the Doherty family. As I entered the Dáil recently, I did not serve with Seán. However, I served with him on the Western Health Board for approximately ten years. He was the life and soul of that board in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I took over the chairmanship of the board from Seán in 1990, so I knew him personally. He worked hard at local level to further the health services in County Roscommon. Everyone pushes for their respective counties on these boards but Seán was always present to defend the interests of County Roscommon. He was a lovely person to work with and was always witty. We enjoyed his company. May he rest in peace.

Deputy M. Brady

I concur with previous speakers' comments on Seán. I worked with him on the inquiry into the mini-CTC. He was always able to reveal the funny side of a serious situation. On one occasion, he called me at 1 a.m., when I asked him whether he knew the time. He said that a call received during normal hours would not be remembered but a call received late in the evening would. If he was asked about the weather in County Roscommon, he would reply that it was raining only on the side of the road on which he was driving. He constantly made banter. I will miss him. He used to ring me on a daily basis.

I asked him, based on his experience of the property business, the options for a landlord whose tenants were social welfare recipients. The landlord wanted to refurbish the house but could not evict the tenants. He thought for a moment, then advised that the landlord burn the house down. He was a great character in many ways. I extend my sympathies to his family.

Chairman

I am aware that Deputy Brady and Seán Doherty were friends and worked well together.

Deputy N. O’Keeffe

I knew Seán Doherty better than many because he used to visit my home in County Cork, which is far from County Roscommon, and we shared many sociable evenings. He was talented and full of ideas. He served as Minister and Cathaoirleach but will be best known for his work in the Committee of Public Accounts DIRT inquiry, where he excelled through his knowledge of banking and the problems of the tax evasion and avoidance. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Members rose.