Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1996

Vol. 147 No. 1

Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.

Mr. Manning

Members will have learned of the death of Gerry L'Estrange, a former Member of this and the other House, which occurred at Easter time. Gerry L'Estrange was a Member of this House from 1954 to 1965 and of Dáil Éireann from 1965 to 1987, 33 years of unbroken service in the Houses of Parliament, a formidable achievement. To know Gerry L'Estrange was to like him. He had strong views and deep convictions, which he expressed strongly, vigorously and colourfully. He said what he had to say, but once it was said that was that. There was no malice or rancour in Gerry L'Estrange and he made lifelong friends on all sides of the House.

Gerry L'Estrange was a great servant of the Fine Gael Party. He first ran for the Dáil as a member of Clann na Talmhain in the 1940s. He later transferred his allegiance to Fine Gael. Once transferred, that allegiance was total. He served under Dick Mulcahy, James Dillon, Liam Cosgrave, who paid him a warm and eloquent tribute at the funeral in Multyfarnham, and Garret FitzGerald. To all he gave his total and enthusiastic loyalty.

It was, however, much more than a passive loyalty. Enthusiasm was the hallmark of Gerry's personality. In addition, he had enormous energy and an enormous capacity to help people. I never saw Gerry in bad humour or without that smile which usually meant that a practical joke or a good story was on the way.

Gerry loved the Houses of the Oireachtas. He was the most conscientious attender. He knew the rules and the procedures inside out and was not too shy about bending them if it served his purpose. He could be, and was, irreverent. He could mix it with the best and, like all good politicians, he could take it as well as give it.

Gerry L'Estrange was a great public representative. He loved and understood people. He fought hard for them and if, in the process, he was expelled from the House or offended a Minister, official or some interest group, so be it. The rights of the ordinary people were more important to him and he was prepared to fight to the end for their vindication.

Gerry L'Estrange was a wonderful, warm, friendly, humorous, mischievous person. It was a privilege to have known him. The Fine Gael Party and these Houses have good reason to remember him with respect and affection. To his widow, Aileen, and his family I extend the sympathy of the House.

Mr. Wright

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party I extend condolences to the family of Gerry L'Estrange. Growing up, one always read of his efforts in the Dáil and the Seanad. He was a dedicated and hard working public representative, a tremendous representative for County Westmeath.

Gerry L'Estrange served in this House and in the Dáil for 33 years, a tremendous record. He enjoyed the cut and thrust of politics. One of the most important things said about Gerry was that all was forgotten when we left the House, which is as it should be. To leave politics with no enemies is no mean feat.

Again I express our condolences to his wife and family.

Mr. O'Toole

On behalf of the Independent group I add my words to the sentiments expressed by Senator Manning. Gerry L'Estrange was part of the personality of this House while he was a Member. He was always available and committed.

I recall briefing, lobbying and talking to him on many occasions during campaigns in the 1980s. He never gave an inch when his party was in Government. He always left a meeting with a commitment to take up the matter discussed with the party or the House and return. For those of us who dealt with him at that level, before I was a Member of this House, he was somebody who did the business, came back straight from the shoulder, did what he said he would and in that way commanded respect.

I last met him two years ago. He was still interested in everything that was happening around the House, and wanted to know the latest gossip and discussions. He was always part of what was going on. He was available and accessible and a committed public representative who cared for those he represented. He also cared for the image of public representatives and of the Houses. We extend our sympathy to the Fine Gael Party and to his family.

Ms Honan

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I extend my sympathy to the family of the late Gerry L'Estrange and to the Fine Gael Party. He was a committed public representative. His record of 33 years public service is worthy and one that would be very difficult to achieve today. I did not know him personally but I had often heard of him and the fact that he was a great fighter, both for what he believed in and for his party.

Ms O'Sullivan

On behalf of the Labour Party, I add my voice to the expressions of sympathy on the death of Gerry L'Estrange. As others said, he was a vigorous and passionate debater both in this House and in the other House. He held and expressed his views very strongly and he was much loved by everybody in both Houses.

Reading tributes to him in the newspapers over the last week or two, I was taken by a number of examples of his wit. There was one in particular which struck me. When his party was in Government and was being attacked by Fianna Fáil on that old chestnut, the draining of the Shannon, he is reputed to have said back "If you can suck as well as you can blow, the Shannon will be drained by teatime." I thought that was a good example of a quick witted Deputy who was able to stand up for his party in a clever way.

On behalf of the Labour Party, I join with the expressions of sympathy to his wife.

Mr. Sherlock

On behalf of my party, Democratic Left, I join in the tributes to the late Gerry L'Estrange. You might ask what I knew about Gerry L'Estrange. In 1982 I was invited to Longford to speak on the hospital issue because we had a similar problem in Mallow in north Cork. Gerry L'Estrange heard I was heading for Longford that evening and decided he would follow to hear what I had to say. It was quite a good meeting and afterwards he said that if I was going back to Dublin he would give me a seat. I was delighted. The journey seemed very short. From the discussion we had, as he related his exploits as a public representative, it does not surprise me that he had such a long innings in public life and that he was such a dedicated public representative.

Ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an rún comhbhron leis a bheancheile agus a chlann.

Mr. Belton

I wish to pay tribute to the late Gerry L'Estrange. He represented the constituency of Longford-Westmeath and I had the honour of doing that myself after him. I knew Gerry very well for many years. He was a great athlete in his youth and, like all athletes, he was always on his toes. He certainly was on his toes here, in the Dáil and as a Member of the European Parliament. He kept everybody else on their toes as well, even the ushers. He will be missed by many people. He was a dedicated constituency worker. He understood politics and he gave everything he had to his constituents, his party and the country. May he rest in peace.

An Cathaoirleach

I join with other Members in extending our sympathy to Mrs. L'Estrange. I had the honour of serving with Gerry L'Estrange in the Dáil and I can do no more than endorse the tributes that have been paid to him. We will stand for a minute's silence.

Members rose in their places.