As the House is aware, the former Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Andreas Papandreou, who worked with successive Irish Governments at the European Council, has died. He fought for democracy in his country and was imprisoned and torturned several times during his political life. He was one of those responsible for re-establishing democracy in Greece after the dictatorial regime of the colonels and worked for its integration in the European Union. In that regard he was a partner for Ireland in many respects. I had the pleasure of serving with him as a member of the European Council until his recent resignation from office. I express to his family, the Greek people and the supporters of his party, PASOK, the sympathy of the House.
Death of Former Greek Prime Minister: Expression of Sympathy.
I join the Taoiseach in conveying sympathy to the family of the late Andreas Papandreou. I had the privilege of meeting him at a number of European Council meetings during the years as well as a number of his relations, one of whom is still active in the European group of which Fianna Fáil is a part. Only two weeks ago I was told his health was improving. I extend the sympathy of the Fianna Fáil Party to the Greek people and his colleagues in PASOK.
I extend the sympathy of the Labour Party to the family of the late Andreas Papandreou and the members of PASOK of which he was president up to the time of his death. He made an enormous contribution to reestablishing democracy in Greece through is involvement in parliamentary politics and the formation of PASOK, which remains strong, based on democratic values. Democracy is now firmly established in that country thanks to the contribution made by him. He also contributed to the European Council, the building of Europe and the parties of European socialism. He has left a track record of work and endeavour despite many obstacles in his lifetime which saw both exile and imprisonment for the values in which he believed. I extend our sympathy to his family, the Greek people and the membership of PASOK.
I join the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party in extending my sympathy and that of my party to the family of the late Andreas Papandreou, the Greek people and his party. As the fourth oldest democracy in Europe, as the Taoiseach reminded us last week at the IBEC dinner, perhaps at times we take democracy for granted. Andreas Papandreou re-established democracy in Greece and for that deserves all our support and praise. Democracy may have its inadequacies which we are sometimes keen to point out but it is by far the best form of government and system of administration. Anyone who plays the part he played in seeking to re-establish democracy certainly deserves the support of all constitutional democrats. His premature death is a major below to his party and country and it is right and fitting that we should pay tribute to him.
I join my colleagues in conveying sympathy to the family, friends and party colleagues of the late Andreas Papandreou. He was a man who was larger than life and had a long active career in democratic politics. He played a major role in overthrowing the military dictatorship in Greece and establishing firmly a democratic society. He will be missed not only by the people of Greece but, in terms of his contribution to Europe, by his European partners.
Members rose in their places.