The Leader wishes to make a statement regarding a bereavement. The arrangements are that one Member from each group may speak.
Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.
It is with great sadness that I offer the House and my party's sympathy to the wife and family of the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney, a former Senator and TD. It is a great loss for the people of Malahide. Mr. Rooney was a great friend to the people in Malahide, although political differences existed. He was a great businessman in north County Dublin who was involved in the community. He had a love for horses and I often had the pleasure of meeting him at race meetings. On behalf of the House and my party, I express our sympathy to his wife and family. May he rest in peace.
I join with the Leader of the House in expressing sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney. He was a quiet, decent person of integrity — the type our parties have been lucky to have as members over the years. He made a substantial, if unacknowledged, contribution to public life.
Mr. Rooney came from a family steeped in the Sinn Féin tradition. He represented County Dublin, a very large constituency in those days, for 18 years. As the Leader said, he was a north Dublin man and proud to be so. His 23 years in the Oireachtas, 18 years in the Dáil and five years in this House, spanned the departure of the Civil War giants and the arrival of a new generation into Irish politics.
He was a wise, friendly man who was particularly good at encouraging young people. He was loyal to his own party but, as has been said, his tolerance and natural sympathy enabled him to make friends across party boundaries. Most of all, he will be remembered for his decency and as one of nature's gentlemen. The Fine Gael group send our deep sympathy to his wife and family.
On behalf of the Independent group I offer my sympathy to the wife and family of the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney. He was a friend of my father; I do not think anyone present in this House served with Mr. Eamonn Rooney. I remember a friendship which extended over a long number of years. I knew him as a man of strength and quiet dignity. The country will miss him as a good friend of Ireland.
On behalf of the Labour group I extend a vote of sympathy to the wife and family of the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney. As other Members have said, he served for 23 years in both Houses. His service to the nation and to north County Dublin will be long remembered.
On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I join with the expressions of sympathy to Mr. Eamonn Rooney's family and I acknowledge the debt the State owes him. May he rest in peace.
I too want to join in the message of condolence to the wife and family of the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney. I did not know the man, but my colleagues from Dublin have spoken highly of him. On behalf of Democratic Left I want to be associated with the vote of sympathy to his wife and family.
I wish to extend the messages beyond the party leaders because Senator O'Kennedy served with the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney. Is that agreed? Agreed.
As the only Member of the House who served with the late Mr. Eamonn Rooney I want to be associated with what has been said. As Senator Manning said, he tried to reconcile the Civil War divisions which still existed when I entered the Houses of the Oireachtas in 1965. He had a deep respect for those from every tradition in this House. His conduct as a Member of this House and his commitment to his own people are an example to all. I would like to be associated with the vote of sympathy.
Members rose in their places.