Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 1

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

Mr. Kenny

Bhí mé thar a bheith buartha deich lá ó shin nuair a chuala mé an scéal go raibh bás tagtha ar Jim Mitchell agus nach raibh sé linn níos mó. Chuir seo isteach go mór ormsa, mar Theachta a bhí ag freastail leis ar feadh na mblianta. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón féin agus comhbhrón mo pháirtí a ghabháil lena bheanchéile, Patsy, agus lena chlann, Niall, Ruairí, Sinéad, Aoife agus Caitríona.

Chuir sé isteach go mór ar Theachtaí ar fud Theach Laighean a raibh aithne acu ar Jim i rith na mblianta. Chuir sé isteach go rí-mhór ar mhuintir a dháilcheantair féin, go mórmór ar mhuintir Inse Chaoir, Bhaile Fhormaid agus Chluain Dolcáin. D'fhreastail sé sa Teach seo ar feadh 25 bliain mar Theachta, mar Aire Rialtais agus mar chara mór. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.

Jim Mitchell was always a conviction politician. Jim was born on 19 October 1946, the seventh of ten children. His father died when Jim was just ten years of age. At the age of 14, he did the entrance exam for Guinness's brewery and worked there until he did his leaving certificate. Subsequently, he studied computers in Trinity College, joined the Fine Gael party in the 1960s, was attracted to the liberal wing of the party and had a deep interest in the just society concept.

In 1970 he stood in his first by-election in Dublin South-West and in 1973 was principally responsible for the election of Declan Costello in that constituency to serve in the Cosgrave coalition Government. In the same year, he married Patricia Kenny – his wife Patsy – from Mountbellew, County Galway. In 1974, he was elected to Dublin County Council. In 1976, he contested his second by-election in the constituency of Dublin South-West and, at 29 years of age, became the youngest Lord Mayor in Dublin's history.

In 1977, he was elected as a Deputy for Ballyfermot, his second constituency, and was appointed as spokesman on labour by Garret FitzGerald. In 1981, he was elected as a Deputy for Dublin West and was appointed Minister for Justice. During his term as Minister, he introduced legislation to abolish the death penalty. He was subsequently re-elected in February 1982 to the Dublin West constituency and again in November of that year. From 1982 to 1984 he served as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Minister for Transport and from 1984 to 1987 as Minister for Communications and oversaw the splitting of CIE into three companies and the bringing about of An Post and Telecom Éireann.

In 1985, he served as president of the EU Transport Council and in the 1992 general election was elected to Dublin Central, his fourth constituency. In 1994, he was a narrow loser in the European elections and in 1997 he again decided to run for the Dáil and was elected to Dublin Central. In that period he underwent emergency surgery for cancer and was appointed to the chair of the Committee of Public Accounts. In 1999, he ran in the European elections and the Committee of Public Accounts under his chairmanship began investigations into the deposit interest retention tax irregularities.

In 2000, despite his illness and in severe pain, he produced the final report of the DIRT inquiry. In September 2000, he published a document "Democratic Revolution" which had wideranging references and proposals for the bringing about of an effective Parliament in this Chamber. He also published a document dealing with the libel laws. In February 2001, he was appointed deputy leader to Fine Gael party leader Deputy Michael Noonan. In May of this year, he unfortunately lost his seat in the general election.

Of all the politicians I have known, Jim Mitchell was one who displayed political generosity of a kind seldom seen in that he invited candidates from all quarters to serve with him in whatever constituency he stood. He showed remarkable courage and generosity in that sense. He could be direct, abrasive and controversial, but he was always a staunch defender of his point of principle. His vision encompassed the bigger picture, the interests of society and the people in general.

He will be sorely missed by the people in Inchicore from whom he was never parted and by the people of Dublin who regarded him as a giant on the political stage for more than 20 years. His work was exemplary both as a Minister and as a Deputy in Opposition, when he held a number of front bench portfolios. His integrity, enthusiasm and commitment were evident to all.

We should not forget that Jim had a great sense of humour and wit, which are necessary parts of political life. I recall in the 1980s when the idea of having seachtain na Gaeilge was mooted, he tried to revive his Irish because he wanted to participate in it. His teacher was Michael Begley from south Kerry and instead of giving him the normal discourse with which the Ceann Comhairle would be familiar, he taught him a litany of invective which would do justice to the Dingle fare. I had to physically restrain Jim from coming in here and spilling forth his new found knowledge to the then Ceann Comhairle.

On another occasion, as director of elections for the Galway East by-election in 1982, he tried to bring the Dublin concept of mass contact with the electorate to the Galway East constituency. He decided as a final tour de force that there should be contact with all the electorate on the morning of the election, starting at 5 a.m. He outlined his plans in considerable detail. I had brought my fellow director of elections for the Tuam area, the then Deputy John Donnellan, to the meeting and when he heard Jim's plans, he asked him if he wanted to be eaten alive by every sheep dog in Galway East. However, that activity did not take place.

Jim was a devout Catholic who was devoted to his wife and family. He displayed a wonderful understanding of human nature in all its forms. I was privileged to serve and work with Jim Mitchell and to know him. His legacy to Dáil Éireann and to democracy will stand the test of time. His work with the Committee of Public Accounts is an example of how effective Dáil committees could be in the interests of probity, value for money and accountability. His document, "Democratic Revolution", which aimed to make this Chamber and its proceedings more effective is a fitting legacy to a lad from Inchicore who rose to the heights of national Parliament.

Jim was generous to a fault with his time and energy. He will be a great loss to this party. His loss to his wife, Patsy, to his sons, Neil and Ruairí, to his daughters, Sinéad, Aoife and Caitríona, to his brother, Gay, and to other members of his family will not be easily borne. I extend my deepest sympathy to them and to the extended Mitchell family.

Jim was a devoted father. I stood in his house last Tuesday and it was obvious that it was a home. I was taken by a seascape painting on the wall. I know Jim had a great interest in the sea, its power and uncertainty. I am struck by the lines of the Irish poet, John O'Donoghue – not the Minister – in his poem, Beannacht. It states:

When the canvas frays in the curragh of thought

And a stain of ocean blackens beneath you,

May there come across the waters

A path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home.

Slán abhaile, Jim.

The Taoiseach

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and on my behalf, I extend my deepest sympathy to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the death of Jim Mitchell last week. I also extend our sympathy to our colleague in the House, Deputy Gay Mitchell, and to all Jim's family, particularly his wife, Patsy, and their children.

Jim Mitchell's career spanned 35 years. He worked for Fine Gael in Dublin for almost 30 years after he was first elected to the City Council. He held many distinguished offices throughout his career, including three ministries. He was deputy leader of his party and he was also involved in the Committee of Public Accounts and in the Committee on Finance and the Public Service. He spent a decade working on those two committees. He worked hard in terms of organisation and writing and in researching various issues. He made an enormous contribution.

Expressions of sympathy in the House are often for people from the distant past who have passed away. Some of us knew the individuals, while others did not. However, everyone in the House and anyone outside the House with an interest in politics, regardless of their political persuasion, knew Jim Mitchell extremely well.

I had the pleasure of working with him on Dublin Corporation throughout my political life. As his party leader said, he became the youngest Lord Mayor of Dublin in 800 years when he was elected at the age of 29. That was a great record to achieve. It put pressure on him to perform well during that year, which he did. He was an enormously successful and powerful Lord Mayor. He introduced many initiatives and plans for the city. He was successful in restoring dignity to the office and in starting the restoration work on the complex, which has continued. He felt strongly about the Mansion House, which was built in 1715.

As Deputy Kenny said, he controlled his base of Inchicore, Ballyfermot and Dublin west for all his political life and he worked hard for it. We were not in the same constituency at the beginning, but we were brought together by the same issues. We shared the same constituency for the past 12 years following a revision in 1990. I know how hard he worked and how dedicated he was to the people. Regardless of the circumstances, he always endeavoured to do his best for his constituents. He always tried to progress issues in a non-adversarial way. I have many examples where we worked together on issues, not as Opposition and Government or vice-versa. He always looked towards the long-term benefit. He worked on a number of issues related to education and community and health facilities for which legislation has not yet come before the House.

When people look back at his record – it is important that Deputy Kenny put it on the record today – they will see that he made an outstanding contribution as Minister for Justice, Minister for Transport, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Minister for Communications. For almost a decade, from early 1993 until he became deputy leader of Fine Gael, he was involved in the finance brief. My time in the Department of Finance gave me an insight into his understanding of the regulations of the House and of technical details of the brief, which, with respect, most Members could never comprehend. He had a deep grasp of finance and public accountability issues and of how they are regulated and dealt with. He had an enormous capacity for detail and was very familiar with the relevant legislation which dated from the foundation of the State. I was at many meetings with senior officials from the Department of Finance and other accountable officers of the State at which he showed his enormous capacity for all the work involved. He will be remembered for the DIRT inquiry, but his involvement with finance issues, other reports of the Committee of Public Accounts and with the Committee on Finance and the Public Service over long years will stand to his credit.

I join with Deputy Kenny and Members of the House in extending sympathy to his wife, Patsy, and to Ruairí, Sinéad, Neil, Aoife and Caitríona, the extended family and our colleague, Deputy Gay Mitchell. On this side of the House Jim Mitchell will be remembered as a hard-working person for whom it was no difficulty to fight for his point of view. He was tough and hard, but fair, and he could always see the brighter side of life. Thankfully, there are always Members on both sides of House who can do that. Jim, certainly, was one.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Rabbitte

I join with the leader of Fine Gael, Deputy Kenny, and the Taoiseach to pay tribute to the memory of Jim Mitchell on behalf of the Labour Party and myself and to offer our condolences to Patsy, his children, Deputy Gay Mitchell and the extended Mitchell family.

Jim Mitchell was an immensely resourceful, courageous and thoughtful politician who made a difference. From the time he entered politics he made an impact whether in Government or in Opposition. Since entering this House he has been a key figure in his party, in Cabinet and on the Opposition Front Bench in devising strategies and policies. He was a tremendously successful harvester of votes and a most unselfish constituency colleague.

I remember him for his sense of humour and fun, although I did not know about the attempts of Michael Begley to teach him Irish, which explains much about what we all had to put up with. It must have been something else. I remember him most of all for his role in the DIRT inquiry. A great deal has been written about the inquiry, but people should be in no doubt that it was planned, managed and led by Jim Mitchell. Anybody who, unlike Deputies Durkan and Ardagh, was not concerned with it cannot be aware of the amount of planning and preparation he put in to the process or of the professional manner in which he managed it. They will not know of his ability to manage an all-party committee. I am certain that though the committee had available to it the services of an eminent senior counsel, most of its legal advice was made up by Jim. I could see nothing in legislation to prevent Members going to the toilet or accessing mobile phones or which required us to abandon our clinics; nevertheless, those were the strictures he laid down. I cannot remember any other committee chairman ever receiving the same extraordinary degree of co-operation across the three parties that he did over a prolonged period of perhaps six months' worth of planning, hearings and reporting. It involved 14-hour days and work on Saturdays during all of which the entire staff of the Oireachtas was mobilised.

Members of the House were frequently required to work on Sundays. My colleagues will remember that when we thought we had more or less concluded the inquiry, Jim said the report would have to include a chapter on parliamentary accountability. We attempted to down tools on that Sunday afternoon, but he persuaded us at least to take a small document home with us. One of his ever-loyal adjutants who was waiting outside then arrived in with a filing cabinet full of documents on parliamentary accountability which we were required to read by Monday morning. That was the manner in which he proceeded, but not everyone knew at the time the extraordinary courage it took. For some of the period he experienced considerable discomfort and for a part of the time he was in very serious pain. I remember occasions when we broke late at night and Deputy Ardagh had to bring his car to where we were and drive him home because he was in real pain. Yet, he ploughed on to the end to set down a template for the future. The fact that it has been so difficult to follow since shows the extent of his achievement.

He insisted on the chapter on parliamentary accountability because he was convinced that the tribunals were manifestations of parliamentary failure. He believed that if this House was doing its job there would never have been a need for most of those tribunals. He was acutely aware of the separation of powers and of the distinction that ought to be drawn between the roles of Parliament and the Executive. There is a great deal of objective evidence to show that he was right to point out that Parliament has been gradually eroded over the years while the Executive has become more powerful and the Opposition is under-resourced. This, he insisted, was what the DIRT inquiry was about. It was a way to make the case that parliamentary committees could provide speedier, cheaper and more accessible resolution of many public interest matters while demonstrating that many of these issues would never have arisen if the Opposition was properly supported and Parliament asserted its role.

If Jim Mitchell has left one legacy, it is the idea of an Oireachtas commission, the legislation for which is likely to be introduced during the next term. It is his crowning legacy to the Oireachtas and to politics because it will take responsibility for the administration of these Houses from the Department and give it to parliamentarians. It is right to do that to have regard to the changes which have taken place in our society and to provide for the taking of sensible decisions about proper resourcing of the work of these Houses. Taxpayers ought to reflect that parliamentary work is a great deal cheaper than the work we have seen taking place at different locations in the State over the last five years. That is Jim Mitchell's contribution, that we will have an Oireachtas Commission. He expressed some concern about the draft legislation when it first emerged, that there were changes and nuances in it that were not intended. It is a transaction that the House will get an opportunity to deal with.

Jim Mitchell had the highest regard for our public service, especially our civil servants and their record of honesty and diligence, but he was adamant that not one line, not the cover of the DIRT report, would be written by the permanent or official government. He insisted it would be the work of parliamentarians to establish what parliament could do, separate from Government. That was a very considerable achievement. He has ensured that in the Library there is a permanent record of everything that transpired during that inquiry, including an audio-visual record of the actual hearings.

It was typical of him that, shortly before he died, he wrote to me setting out how he saw the development of Irish politics now. He foresaw a political landscape in which Sinn Féin would make that final step into democratic politics. He had some interesting things to say about the situation that confronts this polity and the neighbouring one. He would not be minded to follow some of the hares that are raised nowadays, he would be quite happy to see us all going forward with a ballot paper in one hand and a medical card in the other. It would not concern Jim Mitchell if we are all putting our shoulder to the collective democratic wheel.

His most difficult period was in the run-up to the last general election. It is a salutary reminder for anybody who needs to be reminded of the transient affections of the media. Sections of the media who had earlier sought to deify him, sought to devour him in those weeks coming up to the general election. Notwithstanding the essentially decent instincts of most journalists, and of the journalists who cover this House, when the media is in full flight it is an awesome spectacle to behold but Jim Mitchell understood and knew that well. He was an especially courageous, committed politician who believed in public service and who left an everlasting contribution here.

I take this opportunity to extend my sympathies to Patsy and the family, to Gay and the extended Mitchell family.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I join the Taoiseach and, Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte in expressing my sympathy and that of the Progressive Democrats to the Mitchell family, in particular, to Patsy Mitchell, her daughters, Aoife, Catríona and Sinéad, and her sons, Ruairí and Neil, and to Jim's wider family, especially his brother, Gay, who is a colleague in this House.

By any standard, Jim Mitchell was an extraordinary politician. He was probably an extraordinary person. In so many respects he represented all that is best in the ordinary person because, notwithstanding his success and high profile, Jim never lost the run of himself. Deputy Rabbitte has spoken at length about his work on the Committee of Public Accounts. During those hearings I remember meeting him one evening going into Buswell's Hotel for a short break in the committee's proceedings and he was on crutches. It was evident he was in dreadful pain. It was impressive to see how committed and dedicated he was to the task at hand. I doubt if I have met many people who were as driven and as focused as Jim Mitchell. He had enormous energy even when very ill. The manner in which he dealt with his illness – the courage to which others have referred – and the dignity he showed when faced with a dreadful illness was incredible. Most people, faced with the same illness, probably would not have contested the last general election, but Jim Mitchell was not a quitter.

It is a sobering thought, notwithstanding the enormous, difficult task he had in that constitu ency, all the hard work and the high profile and the great tributes paid to him after the DIRT inquiry, that even somebody like him lost his seat. I remember when the Dáil reassembled there were some high-profile losses and it was hard to imagine the Dáil without those people. It was certainly hard to imagine the Dáil without Jim Mitchell, just as it is difficult to believe that at such a young age he is no longer with us. He was fearless and courageous and spoke his mind. He was a "Dub" through and through. He was innovative in many respects and open to new ideas. He left school at 14, but continued with his education, completing his leaving certificate, and studied computer science at Trinity College. Had he not opted for politics and remained in Guinness I have no doubt he would have reached the top. He was so driven and energetic, and worked so hard with a high level of commitment that he would have got to the top of commercial life in Ireland.

While he will probably be remembered most for his part in the DIRT inquiry, he has been in Leinster House since 1977. I came into the Seanad at that time. I will remember him most for his razor sharp questioning. He was one of the best questioners on the Opposition benches regardless of which Minister he questioned. He seems to have had responsibility for virtually every single portfolio that was ever invented. Jim had a great knowledge of public life and of policy issues from welfare to energy, communications, transport, finance, justice and so many other areas. He always appeared interested in moving on. He did not want to take a brief and stay with it, he wanted to move on and learn something new. He always cut to the chase in asking the questions. Certainly he was always conscious of the need to be as rough as they get in here when questioning and yet it was never personal. He probably said some of the toughest things about his political opponents but not for any other than the right motive. He saw that as the job at hand. He was a constant politician.

A couple of years ago he contacted me about a former constituent who was coming back for Christmas from Australia or New Zealand. He wanted to make sure that this person, whom he believed had a very good idea, would meet someone who would understand this good idea. He wanted to ensure a person at the appropriate level – not any junior person – in the organisation involved would see that individual. After he lost he seat, he contacted me about a constituency case. I mention those two items because he left no stone unturned in trying to look after former constituents. Having lost his seat in May he did not leave files aside and he never failed to help. That was an extraordinary fact even when he was very ill and had lost his seat.

As Deputy Rabbitte said, he had a great sense of humour and had great stories to tell. Although he enjoyed publicity as many do, he was still a very private person in many respects and he is a loss to his family. Patsy, in particular, and her children will miss him so much. That a husband and a father should be taken away at such a young age is a huge burden for any family. Yet Jim was no stranger to losing. He lost his father when he was ten, and his sister, Anne, and his brother, Peter, in their forties from cancer. He knew what tragedy was about. I heard last week that he planned his funeral, which is extraordinary and must have taken enormous courage. I understand he did not want to burden his children, family or friends with organising the details of his funeral service. To the end he was thorough. We will all miss him. It is hard to believe we will not see him again.

I sympathise in particular with his colleagues in the Fine Gael Party. He had strong views on parties and politics and was selfless when required to move constituency. He represented three different constituencies in the Dublin area, representing people from Clondalkin to East Wall, since 1977. He willingly made sacrifices when asked. He was credited with the election of Liam Skelly to this House in a famous by-election. Not only could he deliver a seat for himself and his running mate in normal times but even when not a candidate he seemed able to perform extraordinary electoral successes.

To Patsy, the children and all his family I offer my sympathy. May he rest in peace. We will certainly miss him.

Mr. Sargent

Ar son an Chomhaontais Ghlais ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le Patsy, le clann Jim, lena dheartháir Gay agus le páirtí Fhine Gael ar fad.

Jim Mitchell led by example. We remember him as a tireless worker but his friendliness and generosity shine more for those of us who knew him. He was always positive. We know of his courage through his electoral battles and throughout his illness. I remember his great laugh more than anything. To hear his laugh in the car park of Leinster House would brighten the day. He was well liked by all sides of the House.

I was struck by a point of view expressed outside Leinster House last Sunday by the parish priest in Skerries. He said that Jim Mitchell's death changed perceptibly people's view of politics because it was one of the few times people heard politicians, from all sides, speak sincerely, genuinely and affectionately about a lost colleague. The genuine regret at the loss of someone of the calibre of Jim Mitchell was so clear and public that it made people notice that regardless of politics there is genuine admiration between people in public life.

Even in life Jim had a profound effect on people's view of politics. The DIRT inquiry impressed many of those who had given up on politics because they felt the Dáil was unaccountable, a charade and not worthy of the higher ideals of politics. In many ways Jim through his leadership turned that around. That is a legacy of which his family should be proud.

I worked closely with Jim on the finance committee in 1992 and 1997. As Chairman he showed charisma and decisiveness. One could not but like him regardless of whether one agreed or disagreed with him. The Tánaiste said that he organised his own funeral. Clearly he saved others trouble if he could and was there to take on the burdens of life. The ultimate statement was that his funeral was on budget day. It may seem to many that if he could have organised it that way he would have. It was ironic given that he led the Fine Gael reply on budget day last year.

Ultimately, for all his service and achievements, he was too young to die. As for many victims of cancer, his death is a reminder to us all to take stock. Jim would have been a great achiever for years to come. It is sad he is no longer with us. However, his work carries on. While we all miss him I hope we will be energised by his legacy and memory. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl do chlann Mitchell uilig, da dheartháir, an Teachta Gay Mitchell, agus d'Fhine Gael, ar bhás Jim Mitchell. I wish to join in the expressions of sympathy to the family of the late Deputy Mitchell, to his brother, Deputy Gay Mitchell, and to the Fine Gael Party on the death of Jim.

Our political outlooks were different. His final term in the Dáil was my first. In the early stages of the first presence of an elected member of Sinn Féin here in the history of the House he was one of a small number of Deputies who extended warmth and a willingness to engage, to recognise the new reality and to encourage at all times. Not everyone took that position but that was Jim Mitchell's way. Despite the chasm in our respective outlooks he demonstrated the gift of preparedness to reach out to one of another view and to meet the challenges of a new political reality on this island.

Jim Mitchell was a long-serving Member of this House and has deservedly earned the admiration and respect of people of all parties. I share that view of Deputy Mitchell. In my five years here I cannot remember him seeking to score a petty political point nor seeking to denigrate another elected Member. He was prepared to stand up for what he believed and to put that forward as the basis of his integrity and the reason he deserved support.

The way he bore his pain in his final months, as only his wife, family and children can attest to, is something that must give comfort to others suffering from terminal illness. He was a shining light. He should be admired and respected not only by those in this Chamber but far beyond. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Mr. Gregory

Ba mhaith liom cur leis an méad atá ráite ag na Teachtaí a labhair romham. Ba fhear uasal, comráideach díograiseach é an iar-Theachta Jim Mitchell, a d'oibrigh i gcónaí d'Fhine Gael agus do na dáilcheanntair inar toghadh é. I found it easy to work with Jim Mitchell when our constituencies first merged, joining Jim's home territory of Inchicore and Ballyfermot on the south side with the north docklands, Stoneybatter and the Navan Road districts in what was only one of the many changing faces of Dublin Central. Jim was no stranger to changing constituencies. He was always an incredibly hard working and committed representative of the people who elected him. While he believed strongly in his political ideals, he was always most friendly and welcoming towards other constituency representatives, including me. I valued his co-operative approach to constituency representation at all times. As other speakers have said, he was one of the most selfless politicians, never seeking to consolidate a political or electoral stronghold solely for himself. Instead, he worked primarily in the interests of his party, Fine Gael, and made many personal sacrifices in support of that party in Dublin.

Perhaps the most lasting memory I will have of him was the occasion when he accompanied the then Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, to meet me at Summerhill Parade in the north inner city when I was first elected to Dáil Éireann in February 1982. He was not successful on that occasion in persuading me of what he believed to be the best course of action, despite correctly reminding me that it was he, as a member of Dublin Corporation in the mid 1970s, who first called for a programme of action to bring an end to the Dickensian tenement conditions of Dublin's north inner city, even though he did not represent that area at the time. After that encounter, he always remained supportive and friendly towards me and others who worked with me in the inner city. Often, he would jokingly argue – at least, I think it was jokingly – that we should all have been alongside him in Fine Gael. I have to say he was not successful on that count either.

I always marvelled at his dynamism and energy at election time. In that respect, he was without parallel in my experience. I express my most sincere condolences to Jim's wife, Patsy, and their children, to Deputy Gay Mitchell and the extended Mitchell family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Costello

I extend my sympathy to Jim Mitchell's wife, Patsy, and their children, to our colleague, Deputy Gay Mitchell and to the Fine Gael Party. Jim was a man of great energy and full of life. I believe he would not wish us to bemoan his passing but rather to mark and celebrate the full life he had. He had a distinguished career as a public representative for over 30 years. At local authority level, his crowning achievement was his election as the youngest Lord Mayor in the history of Dublin. At national level, he served in many ministries and many Opposition portfolios. Perhaps his crowning achievement at that level was his chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee, particularly in relation to the DIRT inquiry which he led with tremendous ability.

I shared a constituency with him for ten years from 1992 to 2002. I found him a tough but fair opponent, always willing to give advice. He had an unerring ability to identify the issue of the day and to follow it. He was an outstanding canvasser on the doorsteps, right up to the very last days when his serious illness made it difficult for him. He will be a tremendous loss to Irish public life. He gave credibility to politics at a time when that credibility was being eroded. I believe his real legacy will be that he enhanced the role of the public representative, whom he saw as the parliamentarian elected by the people to hold all and sundry accountable to the people. We owe him a great deal. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Dr. Fitzpatrick

I wish to add my comments to the tributes which have been paid to Jim Mitchell. Like Deputy Costello, I shared a constituency with him. Before one even met Jim Mitchell on the campaign, one felt his presence in the constituency as something to be respected and feared. My first encounter with him was in 1992, to my detriment and loss. While canvassing in the vicinity of Nash Street, Inchicore, I realised that my campaign was not going very well. The subsequent tally figures confirmed that Fitzpatrick did not feature very highly in the Inchicore area of the then Dublin Central constituency.

On a more serious note, I wish to pay tribute to the manner in which he dealt with his illness, even to the extent of fighting the last general election campaign when he was obviously under severe strain. To his wife, Patsy, and their family, to his brother, Deputy Gay Mitchell, and to the extended Mitchell family, I offer my commiserations.

Mr. J. Bruton

Jim Mitchell was a man of enormous energy and life force. It is very difficult to realise that he is dead. He was a phenomenon in politics. Those who were opposed to him learned to fear the Mitchell machine. The Mitchell machine existed because not only could Jim attract friends, he could keep them. Few others in public life could attract the loyalty and respect of such a huge circle of friends and associates, as was evidenced by the turnout at his funeral. Jim Mitchell was unique and those who flocked to him recognised his qualities. On the principle of judging people by the quality of their friends, Jim came out head and shoulders above others in the quality of the friends he attracted and kept.

Everybody who now enjoys the facility of cheap air travel in Europe should thank Jim Mitchell for that. As Minister responsible for that area in the 1980s, he pioneered the open skies approach from the Irish perspective. He had a deep respect for tradition, his religious faith and his roots. At the same time, he was a radical thinker right to the end. He was impatient to change things that needed to be changed. Above all, in private conversation, he showed enormous pride in his family and their achievements. They should know that, in his associations here in Leinster House, he always thought of them. His wife, Patsy, and their family, his brother, Deputy Gay Mitchell, and the extended Mitchell family are a living tribute to Jim.

Mr. G. Mitchell

In taking up where Deputy Bruton left off, much has been said of my brother's success in public life. He was equally successful in his private life. He and Patsy have raised an outstanding family. Though he spent a great deal of time in public life and put in long hours, he always found it possible to give precedence to his family and they are a great credit to him. Of all the testaments he leaves behind, his family is the greatest. I do not get many opportunities to say that it is a great privilege to be their uncle.

My brother had a great sense of occasion which I do not think anyone else has mentioned. Whether at the age of 11 saying mass in my mother's front room – which he would insist on saying in Latin – as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, as Lord Mayor of Dublin or even in his planning of his own funeral, which was well done and not over the top, his sense of occasion was a contributing factor to his great sense of professionalism. We will look back in time at his good humour. He saw us through some difficult times with his good humour and his ability to be a prankster on all sorts of occasions whether to do with a constituent or a head of Government or of state and, as a family, that is what we will remember of him.

He also had a great sense of parliament – not just this one – but what parliament stands for generally. If there were no parliament, there would be a jungle outside this House. Sometimes, when people look at our failings as human beings, they forget that. Parliament itself replaces the jungle and creates order. It is then supposed to bring fairness and justice. If, as young boys, we could have looked forward to this sad time and he could have foreseen that the Parliament would interrupt its important proceedings in his honour, he would have been proud. We are proud and grateful. On behalf of Patsy, Rúairi, Sinéad, Neil, Aoife and Caitríona, on my own behalf and that of the Mitchell family, I thank the House for the tributes paid here today.

Mr. Noonan

I wish to be associated with the tributes that have been paid to Jim Mitchell and I sympathise with Patsy, Rúairi, Sinéad, Neil, Aoife and Caitríona and the wider Mitchell family, including Gay. Many tributes have been paid to Jim Mitchell, the public man, but I remember him more as the private man, the good and supportive friend, the witty companion and the practical joker. More than anything else, I will remember his magnetism and his ability to get personal and loyal commitment from so many diverse people. His friendship warmed their lives and he will be sadly missed both inside and outside Leinster House. May he rest in peace.

Members rose.