We were all saddened to hear of the death of a former Member of this House, a former TD and Minister of State, a man who will always be remembered as one of the architects of our peace process, Dr. Martin Mansergh. It is hard to overstate the contribution that Martin made to the creation of peace and prosperity on this island. He was dedicated and compassionate and his ability to work with those he disagreed with and pursue a greater good is an inspiration to us all. After a life dedicated to the achievement of peace, he leaves Ireland a better place than he found it by bringing the scars of the past to heal and leaving us all able to look forward to a brighter future.
He was born in Surrey in England but, of course, had close ties to Tipperary. He went to Christ Church college in Oxford, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics before completing his PhD. He decided not to follow his father’s footsteps into academia, but joined the Department of Foreign Affairs. He left the Department in 1981 to join Fianna Fáil and became a political adviser to three taoisigh. He demonstrated persistence, commitment and dedication in realising the Downing Street Declaration and the IRA ceasefires and through his tireless work to bring the Good Friday Agreement to fruition. He was known for his honesty and intellect and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern credited him with bringing the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process a strong sense of historical relationships and responsibilities, along with a deep familiarity with the long-standing issues that have and required resolution.
In 2002, Martin Mansergh entered politics when he was elected on the agricultural panel to the Twenty-second Seanad, serving from 2002 to 2007. He was elected to the Thirtieth Dáil in 2007, representing the people of Tipperary South. He was appointed a Minister of State and was known as a reforming one. He was honoured many times during his life but in 2023, on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin.
Professor Patrick Geoghegan, from the Department of History in Trinity College, wrote at the weekend:
Most historians are content to write about the past. Martin Mansergh showed how a profound understanding of the past can help create a new future.
On behalf of this House, I wish to extend my sympathies to his wife, Elizabeth, his children, grandchildren, extended family and his many friends and colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I ask Members to be upstanding for a minute's silence in memory of Martin Mansergh.