Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 1996

Vol. 146 No. 1

Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.

Mr. Farrelly

Unfortunately, today we must pass a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Seán Conway who was a Member of this House in the early 1980s. Seán Conway was known to everybody in public life throughout Ireland because of his involvement in the IVEA, the Irish Vocational Education Association, of which he was president for many years.

My first encounter with him was in 1969 during the general election of that year. Even though he was on the opposite side, Seán, being the gentleman he was, informed my uncle, God have mercy on him, and me of all the houses to visit where we had a chance of getting support. He was a very helpful colleague; I had the pleasure of being a member of Meath County Council with him for many years. His love of education came through. There are many vocational schools around the country that will have fond memories of Seán Conway and the effort he made to improve the educational system.

I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife, Carmel, and his family.

Mr. Mullooly

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Senators I join in the expression of sympathy to the widow and family of the late Seán Conway. As Senator Farrelly pointed out, Seán Conway was a Member of this House in the early 1980s and I had the privilege of serving with him. He was an excellent contributor to the debates. He was a fluent Irish speaker and frequently his contributions were made in Irish.

He had a deep interest in political life and in education. He was involved with the IVEA for many years and, in more recent years, was its president. In that capacity he gave it positive and decisive leadership.

His passing will be a great loss to political life and will be a tremendous loss to his widow, Carmel, and his family. On behalf of my colleagues I wish to join in the expression of sympathy.

Mr. O'Toole

At Seán Conway's funeral a woman told me that he was very good to the local people and that he was above politics. I replied that I was not sure if he would have agreed with the last part of her remark because he was steeped in political life and in all that was good about public representation.

He was committed to the country. I knew him for 26 or 27 years. My abiding memory of him is when he came to me in a hostelry in Ashbourne in the late evening 24 years ago last Sunday night with tears in his eyes because the news of Bloody Sunday had just broken. He was shattered and broken, as was everybody, on that occasion.

I often disagreed fundamentally with his views on how educational issues should be dealt with, but his commitment was beyond question. He was a Gerilgeóir ó thús. Ba gaeilgeóirí a chlann ar fad agus a driofiúr agus a athair roimhe. They always had a commitment to the Irish language.

He was always available in his local community — he was a neighbour of mine — whether it was in respect of the tennis club, the local cumainn, the credit union, the community council, looking for a secondary school, etc. He was always there, providing a service, being one of the people and representing them.

His family can look back and speak of the contribution he made. He had a lot of sadness in his life. He always spoke well of his political colleagues. I am delighted Senator Farrelly spoke about him, because I know that Seán Conway always held his comrades and colleagues in different parties in the highest regard. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Mr. Dardis

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I associate the party with the vote of sympathy and acknowledge the national service the late Senator Conway gave to the country and to education. We mourn his passing and sympathise with his wife Carmel, his family and his Fianna Fáil colleagues. May he rest in peace.

Ms O'Sullivan

On behalf of the Labour group I join in the vote of sympathy to the wife and family of the late Seán Conway. I did not know Senator Conway but I knew of him when I was a member of my local vocational education committee. He will be most remembered for his contribution to the vocational education sector and his commitment to education, particularly in his role on the IVA.

Mr. Sherlock

On behalf of Democratic Left I join with the other Senators in conveying our sympathy to the wife and family of the late Seán Conway. I knew him briefly in the early 1980s and I knew of his contribution to the vocational education system. He was also a Gaeilgeóir; ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an rún chomh bhrón lena bhean chéile agus a chlann.

Members rose in their places.