I understand that the Leader of the House wishes to move a vote of sympathy.
Death of Mr. James Dillon: Expression of Sympathy.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
As Deputy Leader of the House, before I introduce the Order of Business, I want to propose a vote of sympathy to the widow and family of the late James Dillon. Jim, as he was affectionately known to all of us who were privileged to know him, has passed away since our previous sitting and is being laid to rest today in his native town. It would be inappropriate if this House of the Oireachtas, sitting formally, did not take this opportunity to extend to his widow and family our deepest sympathy on the passing of such a great statesman, a great Irishman and indeed a great Minister for Agriculture in two Governments. His capabilities as an orator and his belief in democracy and its working is something that we should all aspire to. None of us could ever achieve the high standard of dedication to duty that the late Jim Dillon achieved during his lifetime. He came from a family who gave all of their lives over three generations to the service of the Irish nation. For that we will always be grateful. It is appropriate to remember him here this morning. I propose on behalf of the House to extend our sympathy to his widow and family.
I wish to second that vote of sympathy to the Dillon family. I had the pleasure of knowing James Dillon for a number of years. I served with him on the Council of Europe for two years in the mid-sixties. James Dillon was a gentleman. He was a dedicated politician. He very seldom agreed with the Fianna Fáil Party but he once voted for Eamon de Valera as leader of the Government in 1932. He had very strong Tipperary connections. James Dillon's widow is from Clonmel. His grandfather served as an MP for Tipperary. The Dillon family took part in the rising at Ballingarry in 1848. The Dillon family have a proud history. We all regret the passing of such a great man to his eternal reward.
I, too, should like on behalf of the Fine Gael party, to join in the vote of sympathy to Mrs. Dillon and family. The passing of James Dillon marks the end of a great historical link with our political traditions.
Mr. Dillon, as those of us who had the pleasure of serving with him know, devoted his life to the service of the country. He regarded politics not just as a profession but as a vocation. The memories we hold of this great and most charitable man are good ones. That is often difficult to say about every political figure. His policies, when he served the country so well on two occasions as Minister for Agriculture, gave Irish farmers and farming the first lift out of the great depression in which they survived for generations. With his pragmatic approach to development, the establishment of An Foras Talúntais, the ground limestone schemes, the TB eradication scheme, the land reclamation scheme, the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement, all were milestones of progress achieved by this man of great vision. He used his great gift as an orator not just to enthuse his supporters but indeed to get his message across to all, which he did without vindictiveness or bitterness or small-mindedness. His great integrity must continue to inspire those of us in public life. To his widow, Mrs. Maura Dillon, and his son John, and his family we extend our sincere condolences.
I should like to support this motion of sympathy as, I am sure, would the other Independents in the House. It is very difficult to add to the tributes which have been paid to James Dillon in this House except to say that, apart from the fact that he was one of the greatest orators that either of these Houses have seen, he was a man of enormous integrity who stood out as a lonely voice, a man of enormous courage who was not afraid to take an unpopular stand on his own, particularly in the war years when his stand on neutrality was an unpopular one.
I should like to express sympathy to his widow.
I should like to be associated with the tributes to the late James Dillon. I do so, not because I am a member of the party of which he was a member, but because, of all the Members in this House, I think I can be described as almost his next-door neighbour. He lived just a few miles away from me. Jim, as he was affectionately known, was one of the titans of the Oireachtas. He belonged to the great tradition in Irish politics. His grandfather, John Dillon was a founder of the Young Ireland Movement. His father, John Dillon, was a most distinguished member of the Irish Parliamentary Party. He was a member who probably saw more of the changes that were taking place from 1917 onwards than any other member of that party. Then there was James himself, who came into Irish politics in the formative years of our political development — I think 1932 was his first election. He served for almost 40 years in and out of Government; but, may I say, in Government with the greatest distinction of all. He was probably the greatest Minister for Agriculture that this country has ever had, present incumbents excepted. He was the first Minister who recognised agriculture for its crucial and pivotal role in the Irish economy and he saw to it that there was something done about it to give it its central position. Senators have mentioned his achievements while he was in office. There was the Land Project, the Bovine TB Eradication scheme. There was the research institute, An Foras Talúntais. There were many, many others and they remain as living and continuing monuments to James Dillon's work as a Minister.
I mourn his passing as a great parliamentarian, a great orator, a great raconteur and a great wit. He was all of these things, all together. He had a heart larger than this House itself.
I should like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to his wife, Maura, to his son, John, and his wife and grandchildren. I might quote, in conclusion, what somebody said the other day: James Dillon bestrode the political world that he moved in and lived in like Colossus. We mourn him.
The Members rose in their places.