SELECT COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS, MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Jun 2005

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I have just received a message from Letterkenny General Hospital that our friend and colleague, Séan Doherty, passed away at 10.45 a.m. On behalf of my party, I pay tribute to Séan who served his constituency well since his election in 1977, as a Member of both the Dáil and Seanad. He served with distinction as Minister for Justice and as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and retired from active politics only three years ago. Following his mother's death two weeks ago, he travelled to Donegal for a short break with his wife and sisters. After taking ill late on Saturday night, he was transferred to Letterkenny General Hospital but unfortunately did not regain consciousness.

I express our sincere sympathy to Séan's wife, Maura; four daughters; brothers; sisters and extended family. I also convey our sympathy to the people of Roscommon, the Fianna Fáil organisation and his friend and long-time colleague, Deputy Finneran, who represents the same constituency. A cloud hangs over Leinster House today on the occasion of his very sad and untimely passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Finneran

As a personal and political friend of Séan Doherty for 25 years, I express my deepest sympathy to his wife, Maura; daughters, Councillor Rachel Doherty, Caragh, Leah and Evelyn; brothers, sisters and extended family.

Séan was a stalwart of Fianna Fáil and had a wit and turn of phrase second to none in either the social or political sphere. He could hold court in any company and was the centre of attention on any occasion on which colleagues met him. He served County Roscommon, parts of County Leitrim and east Galway at different times since 1977, in which year he was first elected to the Dáil. He served in the Seanad from 1989 to 1992 and for a further ten years in the Dáil. He was a Minister of State and Minister for Justice. He served as a member of Roscommon County Council from 1972 when he took the seat of his late father who had died suddenly.

Séan was held in high esteem by the people of County Roscommon and was a stalwart of Fianna Fáil for almost 30 years. He was innovative in his thinking as regards the development of the county. I was fortunate to have known him so well on both a personal and political basis. His loss is enormous to the county but will be felt most profoundly by his wife and four daughters whom he adored. He was a great family man and a friend to everybody.

For Séan, politics was only a matter for election day. His door was open any other time of the week or year. He served people, irrespective of their politics, in a most pleasant and supportive manner. He was a great man if one was in crisis and always made himself available. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. We should observe a minute's silence as a mark of respect.

Chairman

We will do so when members have expressed their sympathies.

Mr. Perry

On behalf of Fine Gael, I am saddened to learn of the untimely death of the Séan Doherty. I knew him since my election in 1997 and he always impressed me. As a representative in the adjoining county of Sligo, he genuinely cared for people's well-being. He was a former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Minister and a very effective member of the Committee of Public Accounts. He has left an outstanding legacy of public service. It is a huge loss. I extend my sympathy to his constituents and especially his wife, Maura; four daughters and extended family at this particularly sad time. This is a tremendous loss for them but they will know of his huge contribution to public office. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Mr. Broughan

I am deeply shocked by the death of Séan Doherty. On behalf of the Labour Party, I extend our condolences to his wife, Maura; their four daughters and the entire Doherty family. I also extend our condolences to Deputy Finneran and the Fianna Fáil Party in County Roscommon which Séan served so well.

Many of us have contributed to the Houses over a lengthy period and our contributions will eventually be judged by history. I was a member of the Committee of Public Accounts with Séan for a number of years and found him to be a great parliamentarian and a very thorough and hardworking member of the committee. He would completely understand and be at home with us in the legislative work we are doing this morning. He will be missed from this country's political life. Once again, I express the condolences of the Labour Party.

Mr. McEllestrim

I would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy on the passing of Séan Doherty. We are all shocked at the news. I express my sincere sympathy to his wife, Maura, and four daughters. He was a member of the Dáil and Seanad and served as a Minister of State and Minister for Justice with distinction. I have fond memories of him visiting County Kerry many times. He was a very hard worker and a great politician. He will be sadly missed.

Mr. Ferris

I wish to be associated with all of the comments made. On behalf of my party, I offer our deepest sympathy to Séan Doherty's wife, Maura; his four daughters; the Fianna Fáil Party and the people of County Roscommon who have lost a man who served them well. I never met Séan personally but a great friend of mine, the late John Joe Magarill, always spoke very highly of him. There was a political period when Sinn Féin was effectively ostracised; there was no communication with the party and delegates would not meet us. However, Séan broke that mould one morning in Ballinamore when he walked across the room and shook the hand of John Joe Magarill. There was a history between the Magarill and Doherty families going back decades. Once again, I extend our deepest sympathy to everybody concerned.

Mr. Eamon Ryan

I extend my sympathy to Séan Doherty's wife and four daughters for whom this is the biggest loss. I did not know Séan but from what Deputies have said, he obviously embodied some of the qualities we rightly value in Irish politics. There is a sense of loss of a man who embodied openness, friendship and good humour across the political divide. On behalf of the Green Party, I extend our sympathy to his family on their loss.

Chairman

I only knew Séan Doherty since 1997 and worked with him on the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise. I got to know him when he was Chairman of the sub-committee investigating the mini-CTC contract and subsequently became a friend of his. He was a great mentor, colleague and politician. He was deeply committed to his party and constituents and could fit in anywhere. He did not follow anybody. We hope he has gone to his eternal reward. I extend my sympathy to his wife, Maura, and family. I ask members to stand in silence for one minute.

Members rose.