I am both deeply privileged and slightly frightened to say a few words of farewell to our friend Jack Lynch. My own inadequacy to mark the passing of one of the great Irish political leaders of this century, overwhelms me. We are gathered here in sorrow but our words need not all be sad. It is proper to leaven our deep regret with a celebration of a long life of achievement in the service of the public. That life of achievement was lived by a man who exuded warmth, affection and a sense of fun that unusually were matched equally by strength, determination and courage.
Jack Lynch's combination of qualities and his traits of character were unusual, if not unique. I did not see that wonderful confluence of qualities in anyone else I knew in public life. Happily it is not necessary either for me or for future historians to prove the unparalleled affection in which he was held by the Irish people. I experienced it at first hand and so did countless others. It will not easily pass from the hearts of the Irish people and least easily from those in Cork.
Many political leaders get generous support and quite some enthusiasm from their own committed followers. What makes Lynch unique in this century is that he could evoke support and even enthusiasm from the supporters of other parties, the followers of other leaders. One of his principal political opponents of the time, Liam Cosgrave, was therefore correct in comparing Jack Lynch's hold on the hearts of Irish people to that of Daniel O'Connell. It was no exaggeration. When you campaigned with him you felt you could not lose and he lost only once. Looking back, it was a miracle he ever lost.
This is a truly amazing record for someone who spent nearly 33 years in the Dail, of which about 20 were in government. After him came a deluge of volatility, among other things.
He was the first leader of our country of the post-independence generation. With him the old certainties and the inherited prejudices began to disappear. He was the bridge to the new Ireland of Europe and beyond. He effected a transition that was not always popular but still patently necessary. He opened up our economy and began to open our minds. He had tolerance that was born not so much out of liberalism, as out of a gentle and humane consideration for others.
But it was in Northern Ireland and from Northern Ireland that his greatest challenges came.
When a great statesman passes away, it is traditional to ask what political legacy he has left behind him. The Lynch legacy is manifold but, if you want to know his most important legacy, I would say: look around you. For the safe existence of this democratic State in which we live today is very much Jack Lynch's political legacy. Thirty years ago as a nation, we were confronted with a stark choice. We could have caved in to sinister elements and put our country at mortal risk.
Jack Lynch chose not to. When he came to the crossroads of history 30 years ago he knew which turn to take. Confronted with some of the most difficult decisions to face any Taoiseach of the modern era, he took determined and resolute action to defend democracy and to uphold the rule of law. Upon such foundations are freedom and prosperity built. Had this country taken the wrong turn 30 years ago, I fear to think what might have befallen us. We didn't and for that alone Jack Lynch deserves his place in history.
From his earliest years he lived with a certain grace and dignity. On the hurling and football fields he made difficult things seem easy and that elegance and simplicity of manner in the political field made it appear at times as if he were scarcely trying. His style reminds us of the line from Yeats: `The best lack all endeavour and the worst are fuelled with passionate intensity.'
That grace and elegance, that integrity and dedication to duty have always been mirrored by his beloved Mairin. They were not blessed with a family of their own but in lieu of children they adopted the Irish people, and in a long and happy marriage of over a half a century, they were a superb couple whose mutual support for one another was legendary.
For many years they represented Ireland at home and abroad with a gracious dignity and with unerring modesty, simplicity and good taste. That dignity which he bore throughout life he carried with him unto death. His last illness was prolonged and painful. Physical disablement is particularly frustrating for a once great athlete. His courage, resilience and strength defied all medical opinion and he finally slipped quietly away without a word of complaint.
Now after a long and fruitful journey, in every part of Ireland and in many parts of the world, he comes back to lie in peace in the place from whence he sprang, in the soil of Cork to which he was so specially devoted.
My final wish here today is that the life and career of this wonderful man and dear friend would inspire younger people to seek to follow his example, and to be publicly generous of themselves at a time when the commitment of integrity is so badly needed.