Death of a Deputy.

An Taoiseach

A Chinn Chomhairle, is cúis mhór bróin dúinn a chloisteál go bhfuair an Teachta Risteárd Mac Fheorais bás inné. Beannacht Dé lena anam. Níl sé ach seachtain ó bhí sé inár measc anseo, agus é ag labhairt go bríomhar mar ba ghnáthach leis.

Toghadh ina Theachta Dála don chéad uair é sa mbliain 1921, agus níor chaill sé an gradam sin ó shoin i leith. Bhí d'onóir aige freisin bheith ina Mhaor ar a bhaile dúchais, Loch Garman, ar feadh sé bliana fichead; bhí sé ina Chomhairleoir Contae i Loch Garman ar feadh cúig bliana fichead chomh maith; agus bhí an dá ghradam sin aige go lá a bháis.

Mar chomhalta den Dáil chomhlíon sé a dhualgais go dílis dúthrachtach ar mhaithe le muintir a dháil-cheanntair agus ba mhinic a labhraíodh sé go héifeachtach ar cheisteanna poiblí, go mórmhór ar nithe a bhaineas le rialtas áitiúil ábhar a raibh eolas fairsing agus taithí fhada aige air.

Bhí suim mhór aige i geomhnaí i lúithchleasa na tíre agus ba mhór aige saíocht ár sinsir i geoitinne. Fear eneasta lách ba ea é agus bhí meas mór ag gach éinne air.

The House has learned with deep regret of the death yesterday of Deputy Richard Corish, Beannacht Dé lena anam! It is only a week since he was with us here, speaking in his usual vigorous manner.

The late Deputy was first elected a member of An Dáil in 1921 and continued to be a member of the House until his death. He had the honour of being Mayor of his native town, Wexford, continuously for 26 years and a member of the Wexford County Council for 25 years and faithful carried out his duties in both capacities.

His membership of Dáil Eireann was marked by devoted attention to the welfare of his constituents and by valuable contributions to our debates on matters of public interest, especially those affecting local government, of which he had a wide knowledge and experience. He took a keen interest in athletics and in Irish culture generally. Of a kind and gentle disposition, he was held in high esteem by everybody.

Iarraim ort, a Chinn Chomhairle, comhbhrón na Dála do chur in iúl dá mhnaoi agus dá chlainn.

General Mulcahy

I should like to be associated with the tribute that is being paid to the late Deputy Corish. Very many difficult times have been gone through since Deputy Corish, in the thick of these difficulties, came into the Parliamentary life of the country. Very many delicate decisions had to be taken during these years. The fact that he maintained the affection, not only of everybody who met him here in the Parliamentary life of the country, but of those whom he served so faithfully in local affairs over the same period, marks him as a man of tremendous distinction in the affectionate character of his nature and in his devotion to his public duties. We will all miss him very much here, but we will, I am sure, remember him as an example to help us, if we have to face difficult times in the future, to face them in such a way that we all will be remembered more for the gentle and systematic way in which we approach them, than from any other aspect.

Mr. Norton

May I be permitted to express to the Taoiseach and to the House the gratitude of the Labour Party for the vote of condolence which has just been passed to the widow and children of the late Deputy Corish? By his passing, his widow has lost a very kindly husband and his children have lost a very devoted father. This House has lost an amiable and lovable member. Wexford, that he loved so well and served so faithfully, has lost a representative of whom it had every right to be proud. So far as the Labour Party is concerned, it has lost a loyal colleague and a wise counsellor. I feel that I have lost a very great friend. I can only hope that Almighty God, whom the late Deputy Corish loved so well, will grant him eternal rest.

Mr. Blowick

I too, wish to be associated with the tribute paid to the memory of the late Deputy Corish and with the expression of condolence to his widow and family. Although only a newcomer to the Dáil, I must say that the late Deputy Corish was one of those who struck me, from the very beginning, as a very solid and sensible Deputy, as the type of man who could contribute very constructively to any debate that arose in the House. He always gave of his best. His native county has certainly lost a very wonderful type of man, and, on behalf of this Party, I wish to associate myself with the tribute paid to him and the vote of condolence with his widow and family.

Mr. Everett

As one closely associated with the late Deputy Corish, I regret his passing. We regret very much the loss which Wexford has sustained. Although we may have differed politically during our close association for the past 30 years, it did not lessen our friendship, and I join with the other Deputies in paying tribute to the late Deputy Corish and in the expression of sympathy with his widow and family.

Deputies rose in their places.