Statement by President Higgins on the death of Seamus Pattison
Date: Sun 4th Feb, 2018 | 16:30
“I have learned with great sadness of the death of Seamus Pattison, the distinguished former Labour Party TD from Kilkenny.
Seamus served with great distinction in public life at every level for almost five decades, including terms in office as Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Eireann, Minister of State, Chairman of Oireachtas Committees and as a member of the European Parliament.
As Father of the House in his final term in Dáil Éireann, he was regularly sought out by new TDs across the political spectrum for counsel because of his sharp political brain, and the wisdom he drew from many years of experience.
Much-loved by the people of Kilkenny, he also served as Mayor of his home City on three occasions. I, with so many others have the warmest memories of Seamus as both a friend and colleague over a lifetime in politics and we shall all greatly miss his effortless charm and infectious sense of humour.
Sabina and I send our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues in the Labour Party and the trade union movement, friends and all those who knew him.”