Tributes paid from all sides

Seanad report: Charles Haughey undoubtedly had been one of the most talented politicians, if not the most talented one, since…

Seanad report: Charles Haughey undoubtedly had been one of the most talented politicians, if not the most talented one, since the foundation of the State, Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, said.

"I say that because he was utterly pragmatic," Mr Hayes said, when contributing to expressions of sympathy on the death of the former taoiseach. "He came from a community which helped him to understand what ordinary people thought. He understood what people wanted. He had great foresight in trying to see how ordinary people lived their lives and he responded to that."

Mr Haughey had been a talented politician but, as the leader of the House had said, there was another side to him and that was probably for another day.

House leader Mary O'Rourke said: "They do not make taoisigh, potential or real, like Mr Haughey any more. Many will say that that is a good thing, but I do not think so. He showed charisma to people who flocked to him and wanted him. It was another era and another time. God rest his soul."

READ MORE

Ms O'Rourke said she recalled personal family matters as well, but at the end of the day, Charlie Haughey and Brian Lenihan shook hands and wished one another well before her brother died. "I am happy in my heart that that was done and the ills were forgotten. His head was demanded and was given, but if I start on that I will never stop."

Joe O'Toole (Ind) said that as taoiseach, Mr Haughey introduced a presidential style of cabinet leadership and had taken an interest in what was going on in every single department.

Brendan Ryan (Lab) said that ultimately the Succession Act, which Mr Haughey had introduced as minister for justice, would be regarded as his most radical legislation. It had transformed the rights of women in a way that certain things could never again be done to them.

John Minihan (PD) said Mr Haughey would be remembered for generating a particular vibrancy in the arts and for the excellence of the renovated Government Buildings.

Martin Mansergh (FF) described Mr Haughey as a great parliamentarian who had had an extraordinary political career."What he was most proud of was the social partnership agreement of October 1987, coupled with the national recovery from which the country has never really looked back. Associated with that was his very constructive relationship with EU president Jacques Delors which let Ireland be included in the Mediterranean countries and benefit from the vitally important structural funds over the past 20 years. He first pulled the threads which started to make up the peace process. In his time he vindicated a vigorous constitutional republicanism."

Cathaoirleach Rory Kiely said he wished to be associated with the tributes to Mr Haughey.

The House observed a minute's silence.