Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Jul 1995

Vol. 455 No. 4

Return to Writ: Wicklow. - Introduction of New Member.

The Clerk of the Dáil made the following announcement:

I gcomhlíonadh Bhuan-Ordú 142 de na Buan Orduithe i dtaobh Gnó Phoiblí, tá orm a chraoladh go ndearnadh, sa Chorrthoghchán a bhí ann an 29 Mheitheamh, 1995 de chionn an Teachta Sheáin Uí Shionnaigh d'fháil bháis, an comhalta seo a leanas a thoghadh don Dáilcheantar Cill Mhantáin, Mildred Fox.

In compliance with Standing Order 142 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, I have to announce that at the by-election held on 29 June 1995, consequent on the death of Deputy Johnny Fox, the following Member has been elected to the Dáil constituency of Wicklow, Mildred Fox.

Deputy Mildred Fox, the new Member for Wicklow was introduced to the Ceann Comhairle by Deputy Blaney.

The Taoiseach

Before proceeding to the Order of Business I wish to congratulate Deputy Mildred Fox on her election. Obviously Members were deeply saddened at the death of her father who was recognised as someone of immense decency and conviction and who represented something very special, not just to the people of Wicklow but to the people of Ireland.

It is fair to say that Deputy Mildred Fox has been elected to the House on her own account and because of her campaign and the effective way she conveyed her message to the people of Wicklow. Anyone who saw her perform on the media in recent times will have recognised a person of quality, one who no doubt will make a fine contribution to the deliberations of the House. On behalf of the Government I wish her all the best.

Mr. B. Ahern

I join the Taoiseach in congratulating Deputy Mildred Fox. She received 11,722 votes, the kind of mandate that not too many Deputies have been given. Obviously she swept all before her in Wicklow. I am delighted to formally congratulate her on her election. I entered the Dáil at the same age — I am a few years older now — and I want to assure Deputy Fox that it is a nice place. The events in Wicklow in recent weeks do not represent what happens here. It was an outstanding achievement and I congratulate the new Deputy and her campaigners. On a previous occasion we expresssed our sympathy on the death of her father, a man we deeply respected. On behalf of Fianna Fáil I congratulate Deputy Fox, the campaign team and all her supporters and I wish her a long stay in the House.

Miss Harney

I welcomed Deputy Mildred Fox to the House. At 24 years she is the youngest Deputy — I entered Leinster House at the same age — and she probably thinks we are all ancient. She had a spectacular victory and I would say that she and I were the happiest people last Friday. I could also include the person who had backed her at eight to one — I do not know if it was a Member.

She is the 22nd female Member of Dáil Éireann. Everyone thought it was specatular when 20 women were elected in the last election but two more female Deputies have been elected in the meantime in by-elections. I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Ahern in wishing her well. Her father made a major impact during his short time in the Dáil and I am certain she is more than capable not just of following in his footsteps but of representing the voters of Wicklow. Joining as an independent Deputy is never easy but I know she will get great co-operation from all sides if she requires it. I wish her a long and successful career in Leinster House.

Mr. Blaney

I had the privilege of introducing the beauty and I persume the beast may now speak. On behalf of Deputy Fox and the other Independents I thank the previous speakers for their tributes. This is an historic occasion in that it is only the third time in the history of this House that an Independent won a by-election — this is no reflection on the other women Deputies — but I think this is the first Independent lady to be so elected. It is also an historic day for me in that I have had the privilege and honour of presenting to the Ceann Comhairle two of the Independent Deputies elected in by-elections.

I asked the House to remember that the changes are not necessarily in the interests of our democratic process. If they are not we Independents and those in the parties particularly need to sit up and take notice. There is a lesson to be learnt from this because there was another independent, a very strong runner, in this election as well. Keep it in mind and see if you can do better because the writing is on the wall.

Mr. Power

As a neighbour I congratulate Deputy Mildred Fox on her election. I compliment her on having the bottle to put her name in the ring.

During the campaign we tend to dismiss the Opposition but there can be no doubt we had a quality race in Wicklow. For that reason her victory is all the more remarkable. Deputy Harney referred to the fact that Deputy Fox is the 22nd woman in the House. We want more women and more young people in the House. Deputy Fox has scored on the double on this occasion. She has joined the club of 22 and I hope she has more luck with it than I had with mine. The role of an independent Deputy can become a lonely one. If it becomes too troublesome or lonely she should consult her neighbour.

Mr. Kavanagh

As one of those who happened to be at the same venue where the late Deputy Johnny Fox died on a sad St. Patrick's night we were all shocked on that occasion. In the by-election last week I fought as hard as I could for our candidate who was swept aside along with the other party candidates in the great avalanche of support for Deputy Mildred Fox. I congratulate her, her mother and the other members of her family who stood by her during a tough election campaign and on the support she got in Wicklow and in East Kildare. I look forward to working with her for Counties Wicklow and Kildare while both of us are in the House.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

I do not intend to tell the House what age I was when first I came into the House but I certainly was not as young as the Deputy. I warmly welcome Deputy Fox. All the Deputies representing County Wicklow worked well together in her father's time and I know we will work well together in the Deputy's time also. I am sure she will perform well but that she will find it difficult in the beginning; we all did and we all survived. It is significant that we have an extra woman Deputy in the Dáil and that the balance is getting ever better. Youth has as much right to be represented here as age and that is important in relation to the Deputy's victory. I wish the Deputy well and I am sure she will enjoy her time here as well as making a solid contribution.

Mr. Timmins

I too wish to be associated with the remarks of welcome to Deputy Mildred Fox. I congratulate her on her outstanding achievement in the by-election. The reason Deputy Mildred Fox is here today is because of the esteem and the respect in which the Fox family is held and because of the contribution her late father made in this House and to the people of Wicklow over a considerable number of years. In the past, the Deputies in Wicklow have co-operated constructively outside the cut and thrust of politics. I have no doubt that co-operation will extend to Deputy Fox. I wish her a long and successful period in public life and in her new position.

Miss M. Fox

I am not going to make my maiden speech today. I thank everybody for their warm words of encouragement and I look forward to working with you all.