Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1987

Vol. 372 No. 1

Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.

The Taoiseach

Members will be saddened to have learned of the death on Sunday last of former Deputy Oliver J. Flanagan, the longest serving Member of the 24th Dáil. May he rest in peace.

He was first elected to this House in 1943 and had an extraordinary record of success in every subsequent General Election up to his retirement at the dissolution of the Dáil in January last. He was a frontbench spokesman for his party for many years. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary on two occasions and served as Minister for Defence in 1976-77. He was a representative on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since 1977 and was leader of the Irish delegation during the lifetime of the last Dáil.

Oliver Flanagan devoted himself to the service of his country and of his constituents in Laois-Offaly throughout his long career in public life. Even during his recent illness, he attended to his public duties with care and devotion. He was notable for his old world courtesy, his willingness to listen to people's views and to discuss and try to resolve their problems. He was a very able debater, often entertaining in his contributions, but always thoughtful and well informed. He was a firm believer in the traditional values of Irish society and in parliamentary democracy as the system of Government best suited to the conduct of public affairs, both here in Ireland and abroad.

Deputies will recall the spontaneous standing ovation which he received here during the final sitting of the 24th Dáil in December last. Despite his serious illness on that occasion, he insisted on being present and spoke cheerfully to Members on all sides of the House.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I would ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, to convey to his wife, Mrs. Mai Flanagan, his son Deputy Charles Flanagan and to all his family our deepest sympathy on their great loss.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Dukes

Thar ceann Fhine Gael agus thar mo cheann féin, déanaim comhbhrón le bean chéile, le clann agus le muintir Oliver Flanagan atá taréis báis. It is with a sense of humility, Sir, that I recall that the late Oliver Flanagan was first elected to this House two years before I was born and that he served continuously in this House from then until the recent general election. A great many tributes have been paid to him for his long and diligent service to his constituents. They are all richly deserved.

Oliver Flanagan's political career spanned 44 years and a great many controversies. When he took up an issue he threw himself into it body and soul with an energy and determination that few could match. His dedication to each of the causes that he took up was very amply served by his skills in oratory. He was a powerful speaker and never left any trace of ambiguity about any aspect of his exposition.

He was for many years the Father of this House, was always a ready source of advice and guidance to new Members and not at all slow to rebuke any departure by existing Members from the proper traditions of the House. He was a vigorous upholder of the dignity of this House and of his profession.

His record includes very distinguished service in the Council of Europe and he brought a great deal of the wisdom and experience of his years there to his activities in this House. We will all remember the last occasion on which we saw Oliver Flanagan in this House and the very spontaneous expression of affection from all sides of the House for the Father of the House on that occasion. He bore his illness with a most exemplary fortitude and we are all the poorer for his passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Mr. D. O'Malley

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Progressive Democrats I should like to join in the tributes to the late Oliver Flanagan. He was a man whose service to this House had few, if any, parallels in terms both of its length and of its intensity. His dedication to his constituents was legendary. He was an institution that will long be remembered in this House and he will be remembered with great affection for his kindness, his diligence and his dedication.

I should like to offer my sympathy to his wife and his family in what I know has been a very great loss.

Mr. Spring

On behalf of the members of the Labour Party I, too, should like to be associated with the remarks of my colleagues in this House on the sad occasion of the passing of the late Oliver J. Flanagan. For 44 years he served in this House and that leaves a proud record in public life in this country. He had a proud record both inside and outside this House in going about his tasks on behalf of his constituents and, indeed, on behalf of many from outside the counties of Laois and Offaly who contacted him down through the years. He was a very big man on the Irish political scene for that long period of time. His passing is an occasion of sadness to all Members of this House, both young and old. The measure of esteem in which he was held by the public in his constituency was witnessed in the past few days by the genuine sadness that was very clearly expressed at the removal and funeral of Oliver J. Flanagan. I wish to convey to his wife and family deepest sympathy on the part of the Labour Party. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Mr. Sherlock

I want to join with the representatives of the other parties in paying tribute to the late Oliver J. Flanagan. Oliver J. and The Workers' Party were, of course, poles apart on most political issues, but that does not mean that we did not admire the many long years of public service which he devoted to the Dáil and to the people of his constituency, or respect the fierce commitment with which he argued the case for the beliefs he held. Oliver J. was a courteous man who always had a kind word for people, even his political opponents. On behalf of my colleagues I extend deepest sympathy to his widow and family, especially to his son, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and to his colleagues and friends.

Members rose in their places.