Mr Dick Spring quoted W.B. Yeats and John B. Keane when he attended his last Order of Business in the Dail as Labour leader yesterday. To applause from all sides of the House and much good humour, he said farewell to the frontline of politics in the chamber, as the controversies of other days were forgotten in a series of glowing tributes. As he listened, he observed: "A great funeral."
At the end of the tributes, he told the House: "I will arise and go now . . ." Expressing thanks, he said: "I suppose the important thing in politics is to have the last word. I will try to have a little bit of gravitas and have some weighty remarks, because my remarks might not be as weighty from ab out three or four benches back there next week." He thanked officials and staff of the House.
He told the Government he would create some mischief from the backbenches, but at the same time he would be absolutely supportive of the important work of government, particularly on Northern Ireland. "I think I am doing the right thing, if I may say so," Mr Spring added, "and I think I will put it in John B. Keane's words: `When you are from Kerry, and when you are as ignorant as us, you have to be fierce clever'."
Earlier, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said Mr Spring had led his party for a long time, through many elections, trials and tribulations. "He has done, in my view and I think in the view of my colleagues, an excellent job for this country." He paid tribute to his work on the North. "I wish you many years of success in whatever you do, and I wish yourself and your wife, Kristi, and the family, a bit more time together."
The FG deputy leader, Mrs Nora Owen, paid tribute to Mr Spring's 15 years of service and the diligent and caring work he had undertaken in the House.
The leader of Democratic Left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, said as "somebody who is not eligible to stand for the vacancy", he wished Mr Spring well. To laughter, Mr Pat Rabbitte (DL, Dublin South West) asked Mr De Rossa if he was contemplating the same course of action. "No. And you should relax," replied Mr De Ros sa. He said leading a party was not an easy task nor was it easy to make up your mind to go, given that many people depended on the leadership whoever it might be.
"I know he intends to continue to make his contribution to Irish pol itics in this House, and I might make the point that he is still young enough to return to the job at some point in the future."
The Tanaiste and PD leader, Ms Harney, said it was hard to believe that at the age of 47 Mr Spring had served 15 years as lea der. "Deputy Spring has been one of the giants of Irish politics over the past 15 years. He has made an outstanding contribution to Irish political life, particularly relating to Northern Ireland and bringing peace to this island."
