Madam, – I first met Garret FitzGerald when he was elected to Seanad Éireann after the 1965 general election. It was an exciting time for me as I had been unexpectedly promoted by Liam Cosgrave, the new party leader. Liam asked me to support Garret in the Senate election, which I did, and so began a new relationship which has lasted almost 46 years until Garret’s untimely demise.
Garret and I both had great admiration for Declan Costello and his Just Society philosophy. Costello had won the hearts and minds of the rank-and-file members of Fine Gael at parish level.
One day Jim Dooge, Garret and I for two or three hours debated the party difficulties. We convinced Declan that the party needed him, and we congratulated each other on succeeding in persuading the next leader of the party to stay in the ranks. We went home happy that a job was well done. The next day Declan issued a public statement thanking all his colleagues for their support but regretted he would not be seeking re-election.
Two days later I met Garret by agreement in the North Star Hotel Dublin. We must get back to Declan, he told me. I did not agree, and told Garret that we must start looking elsewhere for a new leader. “Who?” asked Garret, to which I replied, “You”. Garret said, “How many votes would I get in the party tonight?” I replied, “One, however the vote will not be taken tonight, and tomorrow is a new day. Declan is a clear-thinking lawyer and he has made up his mind. When the party needs a new leader you will have to be ready”.
Garret was the unanimous choice when Liam Cosgrave retired in 1977.
In 1987, when Garret retired as party leader, the Irish Press editor invited me to write a tribute to the retiring taoiseach, which was published on March 13th of that year. I would not change one word of the sentiment I expressed: that Garret FitzGerald was the man who had restored integrity back into Irish public life.
In November 1970 I was director of elections during the South-West Donegal by-election following the death of Pa O’Donnell TD, and I was having coffee in Glenties with Liam Cosgrave. I had to rush home to attend the christening of a new baby in the Harte family. When I told Liam we were naming the new baby Garrett, he asked, “Why not Declan?” I replied that we would name the next baby Declan. Many believe it was my choice to name the baby Garrett, but in truth it was a unanimous decision of the older members of the Harte family.
When I organised my first visit to Flanders and the Somme on Armistice Day 1996, I invited Garret FitzGerald and he was a very supportive, willing and leading figure in that group. He was standing beside me when I told the audience that we were planning to build a Celtic tower there. This resulted in the building of the Round Tower and the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Flanders. Garret’s tribute in our national papers two years later puts into context our long and close relationship.
Garret FitzGerald was an amazing man, and as historians analyse his life and times, his name will last forever. It was my privilege to have known him as a very close and personal friend. – Yours, etc,