Fianna Fáil TD John Browne served 20 years in the Dáil with former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who passed away last week
PASSING OF FORMER TAOISEACH ALBERT REYNOLDS
WEXFORD FIANNA FAIL TD John Browne was deeply saddened to learn of the death last week of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who appointed him a Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture in 1992.
Deputy Browne, who was first elected to the Dáil in 1982, served 20 years alongside the late Mister Reynolds and first became friendly with the Longford-Westmeath deputy when they were backbench TDs together.
‘I was always very pally with him. A group of us – including Big Al as we called him, Ray McSharry, Pat The Cope Gallagher, Michael Ahern and Brendan Smith – used to meet in the coffee dock of Jury’s Hotel every Wednesday night after the Dáil business had ended. That’s where all Albert’s schemes were thought up!’ he said. Senator Donie Cassidy, who was manager of Foster and Allen, was also a regular.
‘Albert was a ballroom owner and showband promoter and there were as many music deals done as political ones,’ said Deputy Browne, who recalled the former Taoiseach’s energy and stamina.
‘He only ever needed about three or four hours’ sleep. He’d leave at 3 a.m., only because we were going, and he’d be back in his office by 7.30 a.m.’
Albert’s common touch and his love of people are among the other characteristics that stood out, he said: ‘He was a very down to earth fellow. There were no airs or graces even though he was a multi-millionaire.
‘We were known as the country and western brigade because we were all from outside Dublin.’
Reynolds became Taoiseach in the short-lived Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats government in 1992 and appointed the Enniscorthy TD Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for the food industry.
The following year, Browne became Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with responsibility for Environmental Protection during the Fianna Fáil-Labour Party coalition.
It was during this time that the Environmental Protection Agency came to Wexford and was originally housed in a small office in Ardcavan before moving to new headquarters at Johnstown Castle.
Reynolds was a stickler for time and following their appointments, he brought all his ministers together and told them: ‘If I hear of anyone arriving late for anything, you’ll be out of your job straight away.’
On a visit to Enniscorthy Castle, he threw the organisers into disarray by arriving at 7.15 p.m. when he was due to show up at 8 p.m.
He paid countless visits to County Wexford for party functions, election canvasses and official engagements down through the years including a memorable tour of Oulart Hill, which, thanks to Albert, received €2.5 million in funding for the 1798 monument Tulach a’ tSolais.
Reynolds stood down as Taoiseach in 1994 after the Government was accused of protecting former Attorney General Harry Whelehan over delays in the extradition of the sex abuser Fr Brendan Smyth to Northern Ireland.
He served as a TD until 2002 and Deputy Browne kept in close contact with him after he retired, meeting him in Dublin and ringing him for chats, until his health deteriorated about two years ago.
Of his political accomplishments, the Enniscorthy TD said people were understandably talking about Albert Reynolds’ high-profile achievements including his major contribution to the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
But Deputy Browne also recalled his success as Minister for Industry and Commerce in bringing American companies into Ireland and his negotiations as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs with Telecom Eireann, which resulted in the speedier installation of phones in people’s homes.
‘At the time, if you ordered a phone, you’d have to wait for years. Even in Dail Eireann, I remember we had one telephone between three TDs,’ said Deputy Browne. ‘At his first meeting with Telecom, Albert told them he wanted phones in every house in Ireland within a year.
‘He was a doer. No matter what you suggested, if it could be done, it would be done,’ he said.
The only time he ever saw him upset was when the Reynolds familyrun food factory C&D Foods burnt down. ‘ That was the one time I saw him emotional,’ said Deputy Browne.
‘He was very good to families in Longford. At the height of its success, C&D employed 600 people.
‘He loved rural Ireland. He lived in Dublin but he went back to Longford often and he wouldn’t leave until he had seen everyone.’