Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Jun 1998

Vol. 155 No. 22

Death of Former Oireachtas Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

Mr. Cassidy

It was with deep regret that we learned last night of the death of an esteemed former Member of this House, Mr. Paudge Brennan. He was born in Carnew in County Wicklow and was first elected to the Dáil in 1954, regaining the seat held by his late father, Tom, since 1944. He was subsequently re-elected at every election up to 1969, heading the poll for that constituency on each occasion.

A former member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive, Paudge was also a vice-president of the party for many years. During his time in the Dáil he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the late Mr. Neil Blaney and Mr. Kevin Boland when they were Ministers. He held this position from 1965 until 1970. He was a Taoiseach's nominee in this House from April to November 1982 and he retired from national politics in 1987.

Paudge was also a distinguished member of Wicklow County Council for many years and a former chairman of Wicklow VEC. He was a member of Wicklow County Committee of Agriculture and a distinguished member of the General Council of County Councils for many years. He was a member of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 1961-5.

During his time in the Dáil and Seanad he was a vocal public representative on agricultural issues and, in particular, on matters affecting those he so ably represented and his famed County Wicklow. During his long service in public life Paudge continually pressed the interests of the people of his county whom he served so well. In fact, it was he who was instrumental in bringing Nitrigin Éireann, now known as Irish Fertilizer Industries Limited, to Arklow.

Paudge was a proud member of the Gaelic Athletic Association. He represented his club, Carnew, with great distinction for many years and was a well known player on the Wicklow county football team for many years also. He was on that famous team which took part in the game known as "The Long Whistle". The game went 11 minutes over the time and the moment Meath got the winning extra point, the game concluded.

Mr. T. Hayes

Where did they get the referee?

Mrs. Ridge

Nothing changes.

Mr. Cassidy

Paudge, to all who have known him, was an honourable decent public representative who was strong in his republican views and principles. His word was his bond.

I was fortunate to have benefited from his guiding hand during my early days as a Member of the House. In fact, as I was the only new Fianna Fáil Member of the Seanad on 7 May 1982, Paudge introduced me to the House. He had a great one-liner which he said I should never forget and I never will. It was that it was never the wrong time to do the right thing.

Paudge was a great family man. He was married to Mary for 48 years. He is survived by her and his daughters Jo, Rosemary and Sally, and his sons Tom, Seán and Barry. On behalf of the House and the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and family and to those groups he so ably represented.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.

Mr. Connor

I join the Leader in this expression of sympathy to the family of the late Deputy and Senator Paudge Brennan, who was also a Junior Minister. I remember Paudge Brennan in this House. He had a long career for 33 years. He was a man of high principles, as the Leader said, because he resigned on an issue of principle and that is never easy in public life. He had a distinguished career as a Parliamentary Secretary but I do not remember that part of his career.

The passing of such people is a great loss. They represented a link in this House with early democracy. After all, he came into this House when democracy was barely 25 or 30 years old. He was here during the formative years of the 1960s, 1970s and into the mid-1980s.

On behalf of my colleagues, I join in the tributes to him and in the expression of sympathy to his wife and family.

Mr. Ross

I join in the expression of sympathy for Paudge Brennan. I, like Senator Cassidy who came into this House at a similar time, met Paudge Brennan early on here. He was extremely hospitable and friendly. In those days I remember enjoying many hours in another place with him when his courtesy was extremely noticeable although we disagreed about everything. That did not seem to make any difference to him. In fact, I do not think he even noticed that sort of thing because he was such a friendly and genuine person that he took everybody at face value.

As a member of Wicklow County Council, I can tell the House that he will be mourned. He is a man who is remembered with great nostalgia there, not only as a Wicklow county councillor, but as a Senator, a Deputy and a Parliamentary Secretary.

In my younger rebellious days I remember trying unsuccessfully to persuade my parents, who lived in Wicklow at the time, to vote for Paudge Brennan. It was around 1968-9 and that was not a good time to ask Anglo-Irish people to vote for people who had taken republican stances; but I had met him and I had been greatly impressed by his deep decent earthiness and friendliness. He was such an obviously decent guy. On behalf of the Independents, I greatly mourn his passing.

Mr. Costello

On behalf of the Labour Party, I want to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the wife and family of the late Paudge Brennan and with the tributes which have already been paid to him.

He came into the Oireachtas almost half a century ago and served at every level. He was a Senator here for a brief period of time, a Member of the Dáil and, indeed, a Parliamentary Secretary at ministerial level. Therefore, his contribution at national level was substantial. Likewise, at local level, as a member of Wicklow County Council, chairman of the Wicklow VEC, GAA player and office holder in Wicklow, his contribution was also substantial.

I did not know the man, but I heard about him on many occasions. He was well known and loved. The principled stand he took when he resigned his seat, joined Aontacht Éireann for a period of time and subsequently returned to Fianna Fáil, indicates a man who was capable of taking difficult and principled decisions.

On behalf of the Labour Party, I express my deepest sympathy to his wife and family and, indeed, to Fianna Fáil.

Mr. Dardis

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I join in this expression of sympathy on the death of the late Paudge Brennan. Only last week I was talking to somebody who was regaling me about some of his escapades at Fianna Fáil National Executive level. I did not know then that he was so close to death and his passing is to be mourned.

He was obviously a very distinguished politician. He had a long career of over 30 years in national politics which was marked by service to the State and considerable success, being a Minister.

Coming from neighbouring County Kildare, I was well aware of the stature of Paudge Brennan and the affection there was for him among the electorate, certainly on the western side of the hills and throughout County Wicklow.

To his wife, Mary, and family, we extend our sympathy. It must be a mark of the man and probably to his credit that he disagreed with Senator Ross on practically everything. I hope the extra time which he is now playing is being played in a better place and that the whistle will not blow on him too soon.

An Cathaoirleach

Having served in the Seanad with the late Paudge Brennan, I want to be associated with the tributes which have been paid to him and to join in the expression of sympathy to his wife and family.

The House will now stand in silent tribute for one minute.

Members rose in their places.