Victor Boyhan Pays Tribute to Mary White, Questions Government Timing
Victor Boyhan paid tribute to former Fianna Fáil senator Mary White, praising her entrepreneurship, political career and long-standing advocacy for penal reform. He criticised the government's scheduling of a public apology in Dáil Éireann and warned against a procedural move to shut down a second-stage reading in response to a tragedy.
Tribute to Mary White
Boyhan described Mary White as a successful entrepreneur, politician and Republican who espoused the true values of a true republic. He highlighted her humanitarian work on penal reform and her quiet support for families of prisoners, noting her generosity of time and resources and recalling his personal friendship with her and Poric White.
Government apology and timing
Boyhan said it was ironic and disappointing that the government would issue a public apology at 27 minutes past three in the afternoon to those who campaigned for justice in relation to industrial schools and institutions. He confirmed the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the minister would gather in Dáil Éireann for the apology and that he would be present to listen.
Parliamentary business and the Institutional Burial Sites Bill
Boyhan noted that the house would later have time to discuss the CEG, Institutional Burial Sites Amendment Bill, but objected to what he described as a proposal to effectively shut down a second-stage reading. He said that using a procedural closure in response to a tragedy deserved robust engagement from members on all sides.
Call to read the apology transcript first
Boyhan urged colleagues and the Leader to read and reflect on the words and the transcript issued by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste at half past three before pursuing the afternoon proposal. He said the apology transcript should form the canvas and background for his later engagement in the house.
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Thank you, Gaurheelich. Well, firstly, I want to thank you for bringing forward a proposal for a formal vote of sympathy to the former Fianna Fáil senator, Mary White. I suppose when it occurs to me, what do I think of when I think of Mary White? I think of a very successful entrepreneur. I think of a politician. I think of a Republican that espoused the true values of a true republic and someone that had spent much of her time. And I think a most outstanding achievement for me, and I knew her well. She was a great friend of mine. And indeed, a great visitor to my home. And we had many a long day and evening, both herself and Poric. An incredible couple, a very dynamic couple. But I think for me, the biggest thing that stands out is her advocacy for penal reform. It was her humanitarian response to the families of prisoners up and down this island and beyond that she went about very, very quietly and dealing with. She was also a great friend and she was a great mentor to people of politics of all shades and opinion. In these houses and outside them. She was generous with her time and, more importantly, with her resources. And that's a tribute to anyone that they can say about somebody that was generous of her time and her resources. And I can't, of course, go without saying we're thinking of Poric White, because they were a duo. They were a pair. They were entrepreneurs. They were risk-takers. And they were encouragers and facilitators and supporters of others. So may she rest in peace. Today, Leader, we will have time later on to discuss the CEG, Institutional Burial Sites Amendment Bill. But I think it is ironic and somewhat sad and disappointing when the government, at 27 minutes past three, will issue a public apology to people who campaigned for justice in relation to industrial schools and institutions. And today, the Taoiseach, the Thornishter and, indeed, Minister Sean Canney will gather in Dáil Éireann, of which I will be there, to listen to that apology. And then, a few hours later, we're coming to discuss a proposal that you are bringing to this house. A proposal, might I add. To this house to effectively shut down a second-stage reading in response to a tragedy. And let's leave it at that, and let's talk about it later. But I think there should be some robust engagement, and I would encourage members of all sides of this house to come to this house and articulate it. But I do this with one caveat. Let's wait and see the words and the transcript that has been issued by the Taoiseach and the Thornishter in the Dáil at half past three today. Because that will be the canvas and the background for my engagement later in this house. And I'll ask you, too, Leader, to have a look at it and read it and reflect on it before you pursue your proposal this afternoon in the houses of the Oireachtas.
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