I join with the Taoiseach in expressing sympathy to the family of the late Paddy O'Reilly. My information from that very reliable conveyor of news, The Anglo-Celt newspaper, is that Paddy O'Reilly was first elected to the Dáil in 1943 and served until 1948; he was re-elected in 1951 and served continously until 1965. Having lost a seat in 1965 he was re-elected to this House in 1969 and served until he was finally defeated by a mere 309 votes by the future Tánaiste, Deputy John Wilson, in the general election of 1973.
Paddy Reilly, as I knew him and served with him, was first elected as a farmers' TD, representing the agricultural interest, not as a member of a party but to represent one vocational group. A review of his contributions to the Dáil over his long career shows that that remained an abiding interest for him. He concerned himself with the problems of small farmers, of milk producers and pig producers who are typical of the county of Cavan to which he gave such great service.
There are a few interesting highlights one would find in his long career. He was committed to rural development and it is interesting to note that the second Parliamentary Question he tabled in this House on 2 March, 1944 related to the fact that in that year some rural houses did not have a daily postal delivery. Deputy O'Reilly was concerned that this be put right in the interests of rural development. It is an interesting comment on changing times and perhaps on the persistent dominance of economics over social concerns, that the then Minister, Deputy Little, refused to agree to Deputy O'Reilly's request for daily postal deliveries in rural Ireland on the following grounds:
In present circumstances, the considerable additional expenditure which the provision of a daily delivery on all rural posts would entail would not be justified and accordingly I regret that I cannot favourably consider such a proposal.
I am glad that Deputy O'Reilly lived to see his wish fulfilled and Deputy Little's concerns overcome.
Another important initiative he took was on 12 December, 1951 when he proposed an amendment to the Underdeveloped Areas Bill which provides the basis on which the IDA continues to give a higher rate of grant in certain parts of the country than in others. In 1951 he sought to have Cavan included as an underdeveloped area entitled to a higher rate of industrial grant. Unfortunately, he did not persuade Deputy Seán Lemass of the wisdom of that and by 67 votes to 35 Deputy O'Reilly's proposal to have Cavan included as an area warranting a higher rate of industrial grant was defeated. I am glad to say that his advice prevailed in due course and Cavan and Monaghan are now treated as areas deserving this treatment.
Mr. Paddy O'Reilly was, as we all know, a Border Deputy and he took a great interest not in the larger questions of constitutional structures for this island or relations between this island and its neighbour but in the practical matters of cross-Border co-operation.
It is interesting that one of his first interventions in the Dáil when he was re-elected in 1951 was to ask for cross-Border free trade in agricultural goods between County Cavan and its neighbouring counties, Armagh and Fermanagh. Again, his counsel was succesful on that matter. His very last intervention in the Dáil in 1972 concerned a proposal, still unrealised, for the drainage of the Erne River — a cross-Border project which would have been of great benefit to people both in this State and in Northern Ireland.
Those are just some of the landmarks of this man's career. As the Taoiseach said, he was not a flamboyant political character but got on with the job of representing his constituency and did so extremely well. I have had the privilege of knowing him, having served with him in the 19th Dáil. He was very kindly. It is a tribute to his character and to his kindliness that the family tradition in politics continues. His son Patrick O'Reilly, junior, was elected, topping the poll, in the Ballyjamesduff electoral area at the last local elections and continues the great tradition set by his father.
I join with the Taoiseach and other Members whom I know will wish to contribute, in expressing our sympathy to his widow, Maureen, and to the entire O'Reilly family on the loss of a man who served the people of Cavan and of Ireland with great distinction.
