Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 7

Death of Cathaoirleach of Seanad. - Expressions of Sympathy.

The Taoiseach

The funeral of Senator Liam Naughten was one of the saddest it has ever been my misfortune to attend. The loss of a young father of a young family in these circumstances is truly appalling. The gravity of this blow only really comes home to one when the person killed is known and liked as much as I and other Members of the House knew and liked Liam Naughten. The impact of this appalling tragedy has been felt throughout the country in recent days.

There are many reasons people feel this loss so deeply. One reason is that in his political life Liam Naughten respected the dignity of all those with whom he came into contact. Despite the very competitive political environment in which he had to work, he was able, through his courtesy, to make no enemies. He was in the truest sense of the term a man of extreme courtesy and kindness to others; he respected people.

It is fair to say that he performed his duties as Cathaoirleach with great dignity. I remember the speech he gave here on the occasion of the address by President Clinton to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I know that you, a Cheann Comhairle, will feel his loss in particular as he was your close colleague and performed a similar function in the other House to the one you perform here.

It should be noted that he attained high constitutional office because the people who knew him best, his immediate colleagues in the Seanad, had confidence in him. It is great to have the confidence of large numbers of people who do not know you well but it is difficult to attain the degree of confidence Liam had from the people who knew him really well. His colleagues on both sides of the Seanad had confidence in him, relied on him and knew him to be a man of great character.

On behalf of the Government and Fine Gael, Liam's party, I extend sympathy to his widow Mary and to his children Denis, John, Liam Óg, Joseph, Seamus, Dermot, Marian and Áine.

Mr. B. Ahern

Thar ceann Fianna Fáil ba mhaith lion brón an Pháirtí i leith bhás Liam Naughten a chur in iúl dá bheanchéile, dá chlann, dá chairde agus dá Pháirtí, Fine Gael. Is mór an chailliúint dúinn go léir talann an fhir uasail sin san Oireachtas, agus is brón linn a imeacht obann. I extend the sympathy of the Fianna Fáil Party to Liam's wife and family. The past few days have been sad and the weather in Drum yesterday reflected the gloom felt by politicians, the general public and local people whom Liam served so well. I also extend sympathy to the family of Toni Laznibat who was killed in the same collision. I convey our best wishes to Tom Duignan, Liam's driver, and Liam and Mary's son, Dermot. I hope they make a quick and full recovery.

It is a sad coincidence that we have lost two Cathaoirligh of the Seanad within the past 16 months. Both of them came from Athlone and had much to offer to the Oireachtas. They were highly thought of by colleagues and were not controversial political figures; they were gentle people. When Liam was unanimously elected Cathaoirleach in July last year there was universal agreement in the Houses that it was an excellent appointment which would bring honour and distinction to the Seanad. This proved to be the case.

The Taoiseach and others who paid tribute to Liam attributed to him characteristics with which we all agree — courteous, good humoured, patient, hard working and gentle. He brought all these attributes to bear in his management of the business of the Seanad and the other activities in which he was involved, for example, the Council of State, the Presidential Commission and local organisations. From the time he was elected to the Seanad he represented the heart of Ireland. He was a farmer and an experienced county councillor of 22 years' standing. He was involved in the local vocational education committee and served as chairman of the Western Health Board. He had an in-depth knowledge of the major challenges facing rural communities. He contributed much to rural life and always emphasised its importance.

No one can say that Liam had it easy. He managed to battle through many situations in his life and his determination to serve the public cause was never dimmed by the many hard fought elections in which he took part. He served his constituents well as a Deputy from 1982 to 1989 and he began a notable parliamentary ascent when he was appointed Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Seanad. The people of Roscommon, whom he served well on Roscommon County Council, were rightly proud of Liam's rise to stardom, while the people of Athlone were pleased when he took over this key position in public life which had previously been held by another one of their distinguished sons.

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I offer my deepest condolences to Liam's wife Mary, six sons, two daughters, extended family and friends. We were shocked by the tragic events of last Saturday evening. His loss is a calamity; its impact on his family is immense and has caused deep regret and sadness among his colleagues. Liam brought much honour to his life of public service. Today we say farewell and thank him for bringing honour to this distinguished House. Slán a Liam, agus ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh do anam uasal.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

It is another sad day in the history of this House. In a dreadful accident on Saturday last we lost our friend Liam Naughten, who was the distinguished holder of the office of Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and who served as a Member of this House for seven years. He was a warm, loyal and friendly colleague and we will miss his companionship. Liam was a hardworking and honourable public representative, he was deservedly popular among his colleagues in Fine Gael and with his political opponents. Whatever political differences marked us apart, Liam Naughten never let them stand in the way of friendship. He never bore grudges and he earned the respect of all colleagues during his time in this House. Those who shared service with him during his years in the Dáil and Seanad equally mourn his passing.

Yet again we mourn the sudden and untimely death of a colleague. Liam's death is a most severe blow to his wife Mary, his six sons and two daughters. They will grieve for him in a manner known only to those who lose a husband or father in such shocking circumstances. We must remember that Liam Naughten died as he spent most of his life, in the service of the people of County Roscommon. As a councillor and as a Member of this House and Seanad Éireann, Liam Naughten's career was marked by selfless dedication to the political system and to the people who consulted him in his capacity as a public representative for help and advice. They would never have found him wanting and he was still working for the people he had represented for more than 22 years in public life when he met his death on the roads of his native county.

Liam's efforts on behalf of the people of County Roscommon were not always rewarded by the kind of success we all seek. His political career had its peaks and valleys but even in the dark days of apparent failure his belief in our political system was never diminished. It is to his credit that he was an active and hardworking politician and he was fulfilling his role as a public representative on Saturday evening.

Ours is a demanding profession and the wear and tear on individuals and their families can be enormous. Liam Naughten never shirked his duties or responsibilities and he, his wife and family have paid a high price. He will be missed by his party colleagues in the Seanad and the Dáil, who valued his sound advice and unassuming nature. I am aware that he enjoyed his period as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and his fairness and even-handedness in that office was evident on a daily basis. He managed the business of the House in an efficient and effective manner and his loss will be felt by colleagues from all political parties. On behalf of the Labour Party, I offer my sincere sympathy to his wife Mary and to his sons and daughters. Go ndeanfadh Dia trócaire ar a anam.

Miss Harney

The death of any young man in these circumstances is always a sad occasion. However, the circumstances surrounding Liam Naughten's death are particularly sad. The father of eight young children and a loyal colleague and friend of many in both Houses, above all else Liam Naughten will be remembered as a very warm and likeable person. The Taoiseach stated yesterday that he will be remembered as a loyal friend and someone who displayed courtesy on all occasions. That is how I will remember him.

Last year, I had the honour to participate in a parliamentary delegation to Australia which was led by Liam Naughten. Despite the fact that he spent 24 hours travelling to Australia, he insisted on waiting for over an hour at Sydney Airport until I arrived on a later flight. I was astonished and embarrassed but he informed me that it was the least he could have done. I found it quite extraordinary, and it sums up the kind of person he was, that after 24 hours of tiring travel he would wait over an hour for a colleague to arrive. Everyone involved with that visit to Australia was proud that he led our delegation. He took his duty seriously and he was dignified and showed respect. Whether we were meeting business people, politicians or the Irish community in Australia, Liam Naughten came across as a serious politician and someone who showed great warmth and friendship and a great insight to the issues he discussed. It is fair to state that wherever we travelled in Australia we encountered someone from County Roscommon. Liam met many friends, their children and his relations. No matter where we visited, someone contacted our delegation to inquire whether they could meet him. He was a lovely person in every sense.

The tragedy faced by Liam's wife Mary is almost unbearable because she has eight young children, the oldest of whom is only 22 years of age. She will never forget her husband who died in such unusual and unhappy circumstances. Ireland has lost an outstanding politician; County Roscommon has lost a great public representative; Leinster House has lost a very special colleague and many people have lost a close friend. Above all, Fine Gael has lost a very dedicated and loyal member who was proud of his association with that party. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone, which could not be said about most of us. To his party, his friends but particularly his family, I extend deepest sympathy on my own behalf and on that of the Progressive Democrats.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Rabbitte)

I wish to associate my party with the sentiments expressed on all sides of the House regarding the untimely death of Liam Naughten. A terrible tragedy has befallen his family. We can only hope that the high regard in which he was held in this House and the manifest affection in which he was held among his own people will contribute to somehow easing the loss experienced by his family. On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I extend my condolences to his wife and family.

Mr. Connor

As a colleague of the late Senator Naughten, I join the expressions of sympathy to Liam's family on the occasion of his sad and untimely death. Liam and I served in the Oireachtas since 1981. He died at 52 years of age and he was involved in public life for 22 of those years, almost eight of which he spent in this House. He contributed on many issues and always did so with dignity, without rancour and always with the common good in mind. Liam's death is a terrible shock to me, the constituency, our party organisation and, above all, his wife and children. I join the expression of sympathy to his wife Mary and his eight children.

Mr. T. Foxe

On behalf of the Independent group, I express our sincere sympathy to the wife and family of the late Liam Naughten on his untimely passing. I knew Liam before we entered politics and we used to meet at race meetings and football matches. Generally speaking, such meetings concluded in some hostelry or other. Liam had a great capacity for enjoyment and he was a very happy and sincere individual. His local club, Clann na Gael, will be playing in the Connacht club championship against the champions of County Mayo on Saturday evening next. As much as I would like to see them win, I believe Liam will be obliged to use the influence of his new position if they are to emerge victorious. My sincere hope for his wife and family is that they attain what Liam would have wished for them. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Doherty

As a colleague of——

An Ceann Comhairle

There is a procedure adopted by this House in connection with such matters. However, the Deputy may proceed.

Mr. Doherty

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for permitting me to speak. Liam's wife and family have been shattered by his death and my heartfelt sympathy goes to Mary and her children. I was a personal friend of Senator Naughten for over 20 years. I will remember his gentleness and disarming smile for the rest of my life. I pay a special tribute to a lovely person but, more particularly, an exemplary father and public representative. On behalf of my constituents in Roscommon I convey to the Taoiseach and his party our sincere sympathy at the political and personal loss they have suffered. May he rest in peace.

Members rose in their places.