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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Feb 1943

Vol. 89 No. 3

Death of Two Deputies.

A Chinn Chomhairle, on the eve of its reassembly, an unexpected blow fell upon this House by the death of two Deputies—Deputy Hugo Flinn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, and Deputy Hurley. The uncertainty of life is brought home to all of us when we remember that the Parliamentary Secretary was addressing this House when the adjournment was moved, that Deputy Hurley sat on the benches yonder and that the Parliamentary Secretary was due to resume his unfinished speech to-day. Go ndéanaidh Dia trócaire ar anamnacha na beirte aca.

Deputy Hurley represented SouthEast Cork since 1937. He had been a member of the Irish Volunteers, faithful to his duty during the period of the national effort for independence. He was a teacher by profession and for many years was closely connected with the trade union movement. Both the Trade Union Congress and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation honoured him in turn, each electing him president. As a member of the Cork County Council and Cork Corporation, he was associated with the administration of the affairs of his native county and of Cork City, where he resided.

Deputy Hurley's participation in debate here was mainly on matters relating to labour and to education. His views were always advanced with calmness of spirit, with sincerity and unfailing courtesy. We shall be at a loss for his earnest insistence in discussion and we shall miss his quiet presence from amongst us.

Deputy Flinn represented Cork City for an unbroken period of 15 years. Whenever he spoke, whether from these or from the opposite benches, there was impressed on everything he said the forcefulness and directness of a vigorous personality. For close on 11 years Deputy Flinn was responsible, as Parliamentary Secretary, for the administration of the Office of Public Works and, in particular, for the organisation and supervision of the employment schemes. With characteristic thoroughness, immediately on his appointment he surveyed and reorganised the whole field of the activities of the Department placed under his charge and ever since he proved himself a most capable director and administrator.

On the occasions on which he was called upon to give to the Dáil an account of his stewardship, he displayed a knowledge and grasp of detail which could have been secured only by painstaking diligence and tireless industry. So successful had been his administration of the Office of Public Works that two years ago, when the fuel position called for a man of proved administrative ability and driving force, he was immediately appointed to take charge. The trust bestowed upon him was not misplaced. Into his new duties he put all his boundless energy and firm, clear-sighted purpose. In complete sacrifice of self, with moral courage of the highest order and the loftiest ideals of public duty, he bent himself to the extremely difficult task of substituting home-won turf for the coal which could no longer be imported. That he succeeded to a remarkable extent considering the almost insurmountable difficulties with which he was confronted, will not be denied.

For a considerable time past his doctors had warned him of the risks he ran. His colleagues appealed to him to take some rest, but duty was paramount with him, and the warnings and appeals were set aside. I have little doubt that his únswerving loyalty to what he considered to be his duty hastened his end. By his death we have lost a man of outstanding ability who served his country with indomitable courage and disinterested devotion during the whole period of his public life.

I ask you, a Chinn Chomhairle, to convey to the widows and families of the deceased Deputies an expression of our sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement.

Deputies rose in their places.

Barr
Roinn