I greatly regret to announce to the House the death on last Thursday, 29th June, of Senator the Countess of Desart and also the death of Senator Seamus Ryan on the day following.
Deaths of Senators.
Cathaoirleach
I should like to be allowed to pay a very brief tribute to the memory of Senator the Countess of Desart and to make a short reference to the loss which this House and this country have sustained by her death. She was one of the first members of this House. She was also one of its most regular attenders. Although she spoke but seldom, she always spoke briefly and to the point. Those of us who were associated with her in this House knew the value of her advice and, above all, we knew the intense loyalty which she had to this House. The work which she did for this country has, I think, been recognised by all classes of its citizens. She was not an Irish woman by birth but, when she adopted this country through her marriage, she became absolutely loyal to its welfare. She was, I believe, a member of the old Unionist Party in Ireland but on the advent of the Treaty and the change of affairs which followed here, she accepted the new conditions with absolute loyalty. She continued her work here and I happen to know that she was critical of those who were fearful and wanted to leave. If there is one word which can be applied to Lady Desart, it is the word I have mentioned twice already—"loyal." Whatever she took up, she was loyal to it. She was loyal to Ireland, loyal to this House and loyal to her opinions. I am satisfied that we have lost in her one of our most valuable members and that this country has lost one of its most loyal and valuable citizens.
I thoroughly agree with everything that Senator Douglas has said in reference to the deceased Senator, the Countess of Desart. With equal force can the same spirit of loyalty towards his fellow man and his country be claimed for the late Senator Ryan. He was not favoured at the commencement of his career with the blessings which wealth sometimes brings, as was the Countess of Desart, but from a small beginning he worked himself up, doing wonderful work for this city and for this country. I do not know of any man of our generation whose place it would be harder to fill. In joining with Senator Douglas in the remarks he has made in reference to the late Countess of Desart, I am sure, in return, he will join with me in my feeble attempt to portray some of the qualities of the late Senator Ryan.
Cathaoirleach
I desire to associate myself sorrowfully with the remarks which have been made by Senators in reference to our two deceased members. Senator the Countess of Desart had been a valuable member of this House from its origin. In its deliberations, she took a useful and earnest part and, outside this House, she accomplished much practical work for the country. I am sure that every member of this House regrets deeply the death of Senator the Countess of Desart. Senator Ryan's association with this House was more brief than that of the other deceased Senator. Nevertheless, in his short term here, we all learned to respect him and, because of his admirable human traits, many of us learned almost to love him. I shall ask the Clerk to convey to the relatives of the deceased Senators an expression of our sincere sympathy. Senators will signalise their assent by standing in their places.
Senators rose in their places.