Westmeath has produced ‘political greats’ for FF

In his address to the Fianna Fáil centenary dinner on Friday night last, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin reflected on the political greats that Westmeath has produced, and predicted that Minister Robert Troy “will be one of the brightest in future lists of this constituency’s stars”. He said Robert holds a critically important role as Ireland takes on the presidency of the EU.

Mr Martin said Westmeath has given us a president in Erskine Childers, a prolific minister, political icon and deputy leader in Mary O’Rourke, and a minister for justice, attorney general, Supreme Court judge and constitutional advisor to Éamon de Valera in James Geoghegan.

“You have given us the master of the Seanad, a trusted advisor, a legendary strategist, a master tactician and one of the party’s bona fide living legends, vice-president Donie Cassidy. You also gave us the wonderful, elegant man of great private dignity as cathaoirleach and leader of Seanad Éireann, Sean Fallon. You have given us three of the most diligent and hardworking operators in today’s Seanad – Paul Daly, Aidan Davitt and Joe Flaherty,” Mr Martin stated.

He thanked former senator, Camillus Glynn, and former minister, Noel Dempsey, for their contributions to Irish politics and to Fianna Fáil.

Mr Martin congratulated and thanked all the loyal Fianna Fáil supporters in Westmeath who have “given their time, commitment and energy to the party over many years”. “It is a privilege to celebrate this centenary with you,” he declared.