Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Jan 2005

Vol. 179 No. 2

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

Ms O’Rourke

I pay tribute to Mrs. Eileen Desmond, a former Member of the Oireachtas who was a Member of this House for a period. She was a Member of the Dáil, the Seanad and the European Parliament. During her tenure of those various positions she displayed considerable intelligence and political acumen. I do not often agree with Fergus Finlay, nor he with me, but he wrote a wonderful article about her in which he said: "We have lost a woman of great charm, courage and conviction." It has alliteration, but it also has truth in it.

When I became a Member of the Dáil at the end of 1982, having been in the Seanad for the previous six months, she was Minister for Health. She was a woman one could approach on the corridor and tell a tale from the midlands which she would remember when one next met her. She was approachable, but also very interesting. She became a Member of the Dáil as a young woman, aged 32, and was one of only five women in that Dáil. She got her seat first in a by-election, but did not hold it. However, she graced the Dáil on many occasions.

I particularly remember that during one of those awful periods when there were pro and anti abortion campaigns she displayed great courage for a female rural Deputy. I remember speaking to her one day when she was sitting in her car about to head off for Cork. The car was piled full with boxes of leaflets she was going to distribute when she got home to her branch meetings. She took a very courageous stand on that issue when other people, certainly other women or Deputies from other parties were not doing it. We all talk about the feminist revolution and the very worthy women who led that cause and went to and from Belfast on the train. All of those events were necessary to highlight the absurdity of a position but in her own quiet way Eileen Desmond was campaigning in the depths of County Cork where it cannot have been easy to have taken the position she took and to have others follow her.

As we know, Eileen was dogged by bouts of ill health but the reason for this was not the cause of her untimely passing. This prevented her from standing for office or from being considered for Cabinet at a later stage. She was a very fine person of considerable worth. I mourn her passing personally and on behalf of my party. She was not old by modern standards. She could well have continued her political career. She had two lovely daughters, both of whom I met on several occasions, Honor and Paula. One in particular has followed on in the political tradition. I extend my sympathy to her daughters, her wider family, friends, acquaintances and the Labour Party of which she was such a sterling torchbearer.

Mr. B. Hayes

On behalf of my Fine Gael colleagues in this House, I join the Leader in paying tribute to Eileen Desmond and extending our sympathies on this terrible loss to her family and to her Labour Party colleagues in the House. I did not know Eileen Desmond and never met her but as someone growing up in the 1980s I was very much aware of her contribution to politics from the television and reading newspapers.

One of the great mistakes made by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in that very turbulent period in the early 1980s, to which the Leader referred, was the concession we made to put the issue of abortion into the Constitution. She was the only female Deputy to vote against that in the Dáil at a time when there were many female Deputies in both parties. She showed great understanding as well as the courage to which the Leader referred. Given her rural base it was very difficult to take that stand in 1981 and 1982. She also showed great intellect in knowing the difference between statute law and constitutional law and knowing where things should go. It is a living testimony to her intellect that she had the courage to say it would be a great mistake to put the issue of abortion into the Constitution. She understood how the apparatus of the State worked.

She also showed great courage in 1979 when she was elected to the first directly elected European Parliament elections for the Munster constituency. I understand that in 1981 she was asked by Frank Cluskey to stand back from the European Parliament to contest a Dáil constituency. With fixed term parliaments and financial security, it would have been easier to stay in Strasbourg because the 1980s was a turbulent period here in which we had five general elections. Eileen did not take the easy option, which was a great sign of her fidelity and real commitment to the Labour Party. She decided to contest the election when she was asked to do it by the party leadership. We underestimate in politics now the importance of party politics and the very strong convictions of members of political parties about party values. Eileen showed that in great measure in 1981.

The third issue I wish to raise in tribute to Eileen is the fact that her entire family was given over to the Labour Party. Those of us who are members of political parties often take it for granted that this is not just an individual business, but a family one. Eileen's husband, Dan Desmond, who died at a very young age gave his life to party politics, as her daughter Paula is doing on a daily basis as a member of Cork County Council.

They are my reflections on this great parliamentarian, this great woman whom I suspect was a role model for other women at a very difficult time in Irish politics. I hope her memory will be treasured in this House as someone who made a great contribution to this country. It is only right and fitting that we remember her today.

Mr. O’Toole

We on the Independent benches would like to be associated with the words of condolence to the family of the late Eileen Desmond. I did not know her in political life as she was gone when I came in here but I met her two or three times. She was one of those iconic figures I associated with political life before I was elected to national politics. She had a great presence which came across in the media and in person. One always remembers the curl in her hair, which was almost like a trademark. She always had a word for people around her.

I would like to reflect on the significant contribution Eileen made. She was a role model not just for other women, but for politicians. As one who was principle-driven, she is a role model for the many politicians today who are opinion poll-driven. She was a woman who took the hard stance, who made the hard decisions in public and who faced her electorate and explained and sold her position. That is the reputation she leaves behind. I thank her on behalf of all of us for the contribution she made as a young widow coming into political life, finding her way and making an impact at local, national and European level. We owe her a debt of gratitude. She was the kind of person we need in public representation. She was a good role model for people looking to take on that kind of lifestyle. I offer our condolences from these benches to her daughters, her family and her colleagues past and present in the Labour Party.

Mr. Ryan

I cannot help thinking that if Eileen was here she would blush because although everything that was said about her this morning is true, she would not thank one for saying it like that. In thinking of her the word that springs to mind is "courageous" and it has already been used to describe her. We referred to courage in the political context but she was also extraordinarily courageous personally. When she was widowed 40 years ago at the age of 32 she ran in a by-election. She did not run just because she was a Deputy's widow. I never asked her about it directly but she was reported to have said she was a member of the Labour Party before her husband was a member. She ran because she was a committed person.

We know the level of success Eileen had in her political career but she was also an extraordinarily successful mother. I cannot think of anybody whose relationship with her adult children I would more like to emulate. They had grown into a community of friends who only differed in age, particularly Eileen and Paula, both of whom I had the great fortune to know well.

I voted for Eileen on occasions when I was in the constituency. I campaigned on her behalf even when I was not a member of the Labour Party because people's comments about her caught my imagination and inspired me as an observer of politics in those days. As the years went by and I got to know her both inside and outside the Labour Party I found her a committed ally of all of the causes in which people with hearts and convictions on the left of Irish politics would like to be involved. She was never irresolute or in doubt; she knew where she stood. That was not just 20 years ago, it continued until recently. Last June, she canvassed on behalf of Paula and me in the local and European elections. The bringing about of political change as she saw it never ceased to be a central part of her life. However, she was more than that to me — she was a good friend who had a good sense of humour, particularly about herself. This is why I stated at the outset that she would have been somewhat embarrassed by these tributes and her response would have been a humorous put down about herself.

The Labour Party, both locally in Cork South-Central and nationally, will notice her absence and miss her. As Senator O'Toole quite rightly stated, she was an icon and a remarkably brave woman but, most fundamentally for members of the Labour Party, she was a lovely woman to whom one warmed and responded. She was also perhaps the most effective canvasser with whom I have ever knocked on doors. She had a capacity to resonate with people and remember them and people remembered her. Anywhere one travelled in Cork South-Central, Mrs. Desmond was a figure with whom people immediately identified.

Paula, Honor, Feena and Max — her daughters and two grandchildren — will miss her desperately. She was the linchpin in a close and very united family and her absence will be a very significant gap in all of their lives. It is to them, on behalf of the Labour Party, that I extend my deepest sympathy because they deserved to have her for much longer. She was very much herself still and it was a great tragedy that she was taken from them so soon, so suddenly and so comparatively young. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

Mr. Minihan

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I join previous speakers in paying tribute to the late Eileen Desmond. Whereas I was not involved in political life at the same time as Eileen Desmond, as a young man growing up in Cork I knew her and her daughters quite well. As a woman who took on the challenges she did in those days in Cork, she became something of an icon for all the right reasons. As previous Senators outlined, we should consider the era to which we are referring, namely, 1965 and a very young widow with two very young children taking on the daunting task of standing in a by-election, succeeding in it and moving on through her political career.

The Leader used three words to describe her, namely, "charm", "courage" and "conviction". These qualities have been clear throughout her life. One must consider the political stances she took, the relationship she had with her electorate and the affection in which she was held by the people of Cork South-Central, an affection which continued in respect of her whole family. As Senator Ryan stated, her daughter Paula has continued the political tradition and is a very prominent and active member of Cork County Council.

Eileen Desmond is a role model for women in public life, particularly in the profession of politics in which she carried out her responsibilities and duties of public service. This did not come cheaply for her because, although as politicians we all make sacrifices in our family lives for the role we play, the difficulty is compounded when one is a widow with two young children. The people owe a great debt of gratitude for the service and commitment of Eileen Desmond. In particular, she is very fondly remembered by the people of Cork who are very grateful for the service she gave. I extend my sympathy not only to the Labour Party and the people who supported Eileen Desmond, but particularly to her daughters, Paula and Honor. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Mr. McCarthy

I share the sentiments expressed by Senators about the late Eileen Desmond. To put her political career in context is quite amazing as she came into politics as a result of tragic circumstances. Her husband Dan, who was a Dáil Deputy and deputy leader of the party, died suddenly leaving her with two young children. She won the subsequent by-election and the result of her victory was the decision by the then Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, to dissolve the 17th Dáil so she never had the opportunity to take her seat in that Dáil. However, she went on to retain the seat in the general election.

Eileen Desmond made great sacrifices not just for the people of Cork, but those of Ireland. She campaigned on very sensitive issues and took stances that would have been largely unpopular from many viewpoints. However, she took a political position based on merit and principle — it had nothing to do with electoral dividend, which is plain to see in the example given by the Leader.

I recall meeting Mrs. Desmond at a funeral of a good friend of hers, former councillor Carmel Harrington, in Bantry two years ago. She told me then that she had to get back to Carrigaline that evening for a leaflet drop for the referendum campaign. She was still very active at that point — canvassing during the local and European elections last June — and was a prominent figure at Labour Party conferences. Every time she spoke she commanded a level of interest and attention and there was a great deal of focus on her. She was an icon. She represented an area which stretched from her native Carrigaline to the Limerick and Kerry borders — the old Mid-Cork constituency, which took in towns such as Charleville, Kinsale, Bandon and into Cork city. She serviced the area well, visiting every town and village in the constituency on a regular basis and was a regular feature at late night clinics and branch meetings.

Mrs. Desmond has the distinction of having served in every forum the membership of which she contested. She was a county councillor, Senator, Deputy, Minister and MEP. This is a recognition of her dedication as well as her many understated talents. She never sought any quarter on the basis of her being the first woman to be appointed to a senior Cabinet post. She was one of only nine women Deputies in the history of the Labour Party and was the second ever female Labour Party Deputy.

She would be embarrassed by the tributes in the House this morning because she was very modest. She never once kept a newspaper clipping about herself even though she dominated the media for many years. It was not the way she viewed herself. The Desmond family's service to Cork politics is being continued by Paula, who has the distinction of being the first female cathaoirleach of Cork County Council. Eileen was a wonderful colleague and friend and was a great mother. She had many talents but it is appropriate to point out the relationship she had with her family. She was a mother, father and grandmother to that family and they will miss her dearly. I subscribe to the warm tributes paid to her in this House this morning.

Mr. Callanan

I join in the tributes to the memory of the late Eileen Desmond who died recently. I was at the funeral. I was good friends with Eileen for many years. I served on Cork County Council with her and knew her as a political person as well as on a personal basis. I knew all her family and extended family. We lived in neighbouring parishes and when one lives in rural Ireland, everyone knows one another. We all know the good points about people, it is just a pity they are only remembered when a person is dead. How many people would stand up and say these things about Eileen Desmond if she was seeking election?

Nonetheless, she deserves the tributes which have been paid to her and the fine words said about her this morning. I do not intend to repeat any of them. I knew her as a gentle, caring and wonderful person. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

An Cathaoirleach

I too wish to join in the tributes to Eileen Desmond, who was a remarkable woman and a remarkable politician. She served the people of this country and Cork in particular with honour and distinction and will be remembered as one of the most outstanding women to serve in these Houses. She was the first woman since Countess Markievicz to be a member of Government. This was a wonderful achievement for a lady who entered politics reluctantly after the untimely death of her husband, Dan. At the time it was a most courageous step for Eileen as she was only 32 years of age with two young children. I remember the by-election as the constituency was several miles from where I live. Eileen won the by-election and, as a result, a general election followed. An interesting note is that the three candidates in the by-election were elected to the Dáil in the ensuing general election. I do not know whether this is a good omen for future by-election candidates.

Both Eileen and her husband, Dan, served the Mid-Cork and Cork South-Central constituencies. She also represented Munster in the European Parliament and was elected to the Seanad in 1969 on the industrial and commercial panel. All were wonderful achievements. I wish to extend my sympathy to her daughters, Honor and Paula, the latter has followed her tradition of sitting on Cork County Council, their children and the rest of the Desmond family.

Members rose.