Deputy Hugh Coveney ennobled the profession of politics. His tragic and untimely death has robbed all of us in politics of one of its most highly thought of members. The feeling of desolation that descended on us, his colleagues in Fine Gael, has been shared throughout the country by all other parties and by those who knew Hugh in politics, sport and the business world. On behalf of Fine Gael, I thank the members of all parties who have paid such fine tributes to Hugh. It is a true measure of the man that people from all political backgrounds have only good things to say about him.
If our sense of loss is so deeply felt, it is nothing compared to the pain and devastation felt by Pauline, Patrick, Simon, Rory, Tony, Andrew, Rebecca and David and all the relatives of Hugh and Pauline. Words are inadequate to express the depth of sympathy we extend to Pauline and the family, but I hope they will gain some comfort from the outpourings of respect and love for Hugh which were manifest in the tributes paid to him.
I feel certain that Hugh, who never sought out praise, would be embarrassed by it all. Despite all his talents, he was a genuinely shy and modest man. Because of his innate sense of decency and his willingness to find points of consensus rather than difference, Hugh would be heartened that he achieved in his death the consensus across party lines which does not always exist.
Hugh's achievements have been well documented — his successful professional practice in Cork, his election to Cork Corporation in 1979, his election to the Dáil in 1981, his term as Lord Mayor of Cork which he considered a great honour, his worldwide renown as a yachtsman and his distinguished period as Minister for Defence and the Marine and as Minister of State at the Department of Finance. Despite all the successes of Hugh's life, he never lost touch with his roots. He was utterly diligent in his representation of the people of Cork through politics. He was also totally committed to improving Cork by judicious investment and by sharing his material wealth for the betterment of Cork and its people. This commitment to Cork's business life and to its people was carried out in Hugh's normal modest way. It is only since his tragic death that we know of some of his generosity, particularly to people less well-off than himself.
Hugh, like all of us, faced disappointments in his life. He lost his seat in this House in 1987 and I shared that defeat with him. I know he was upset by that loss because we often talked about it. I recall with great warmth how he advised me to keep trying as I might be back some day. I am glad his words came to pass. He decided to return to his business life. In 1994 he agreed to stand in the by-election for Fine Gael, thus showing his loyalty to this party that he loved and his commitment to public service. He was rewarded by the people of Cork when he won the by-election.
Hugh faced his removal from ministerial office with a dignity and lack of rancour which were his hallmarks and he proceeded to make a dynamic and important contribution as Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works. As Minister for Justice, I was indebted to his input into the most extensive prison building programme ever undertaken in the State. Hugh's professional training was an invaluable asset in the work of the committee he chaired. He was so proud when he travelled to Castlerea with me to view the fruits of his endeavours and to share the opening of the first phase of that prison. The staff of the Office of Public Works who worked with him on that committee told me many times of their great admiration for Hugh's work and commitment.
As one of the ministerial team at the Northern Ireland talks, Hugh's role cannot be underestimated. I spent many hours with him at that time and watched his skill in dealing with the sensitive relationships among the participants. His input was vital at a time when the tiniest of detail had the capacity to cause great conflict. I remember on one occasion when Hugh was the sole Government representative at the talks for a particular few days during discussions on the agenda agreement was arrived at thanks to his skilful negotiating powers. I passed on to him the warm words of thanks of Sir Patrick Mayhew and the chairman, Mr. George Mitchell, but Hugh, in his usual self-effacing manner, said: "Go on out of that, Nora". However, I knew that deep down he was immensely satisfied with the part he was playing in bringing about a peaceful solution to Northern Ireland and an end to the killing and maiming of Irish men, women and children on this island. The finest tribute to Hugh Coveney will be a successful outcome to the present talks. If he were here today, he would wish the Taoiseach and his Government great success in their endeavours, as we all do in this House.
Hugh's love and devotion to his wife and children were exemplary. It was an honour and a pleasure to be around any combination of the Coveney family, as I and many of my colleagues were during the by-election he won. The close bonds of family were so evident. I will forever remember the sight of his and Pauline's fine looking children in their red sweatshirts proclaiming Coveney for all to see on the roadsides of Cork city and county. Their good fortune to have Hugh and Pauline as their parents will, I hope, help to comfort them in their great loss and help them to fulfil all their ambitions as a tribute to their late father.
In reviewing Hugh Coveney's life, I was reminded of the parable of the talents. Hugh was blessed with some talents at his birth but he increased them and shared the benefits of his knowledge and success with so many people who will be grateful for his life and generosity. To Pauline, Patrick, Simon, Rory, Tony, Andrew, Rebecca and David I extend, on behalf of John Bruton, myself and all the members of Fine Gael throughout the country, our heartfelt sympathy and say it was an honour to have shared our lives, even for a short time, with a man such as Hugh Coveney.