Taoiseach hails ‘rich legacy’ of former minister O’Kennedy who passed away
TAOISEACH Micheál Martin yesterday led tributes to former European Commissioner Michael O’Kennedy who died over the weekend.
The 86-year-old Fianna Fáil politician was involved in politics for half a century, serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finance, Labour, Agriculture, Transport, as well as in the Seanad.
Born and raised in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Mr O’Kennedy studied law at University College Dublin, before becoming a barrister.
When he retired from politics in 2002 he returned to his legal career and served as a member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Mr Martin said: ‘Few people have left such a rich or long political legacy or dedicated so much to Irish public life.
‘Fighting his first election in 1965, Michael served the people of Tipperary North with great commitment as a TD from 1969, and many times more until 2002.
‘A man of great integrity and friendly demeanour, Michael had a front row seat for the formative years of modern Ireland.
‘A senior counsel, he had a keen legal mind, and brought great wit, intelligence and determination to several ministerial roles spanning three decades.
‘This experience was crucial whether serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finance,
Labour, Agriculture, Transport, Economic Planning and Development, or Public Service.’
Mr Martin added: ‘Michael was also a strong voice for Ireland on the international stage, serving as European Commissioner in the early 1980s, before returning to the Dáil to serve his beloved Tipperary North once again.
‘He also served ably as a Senator, in 1965, and again from 1993 to 1997, in an extraordinary 37-year career in national politics.
‘I want to express my deepest sympathies to the O’Kennedy family at this very difficult time, especially to his wife Breda and children Brian, Orla and Mary.’