Madam, – Much has been written about Brian Lenihan’s contribution as Minister for Justice and Finance respectively, with the media glossing over his time as a “Super Junior” Minister for Children. Perhaps this is because as a society we still don’t put children high enough on the national agenda – a mistake Brian Lenihan never made. This charismatic and intelligent minister was indeed “super” for children, showing real vision and understanding about how investment in the early years – that’s between birth and six years old – would pay real dividends for Ireland socially and economically down the road. He got it and he knew how to ensure others in power got it too.
During his time as Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan did the groundwork, consulting and developing relationships with the childcare sector. Without his support, the free pre-school year would never have been introduced in January 2010, by which time he was in control of the nation’s purse. This gentleman had a tremendous sense of duty to our children and their families and to those working hard to make the childcare sector better.
He was a true visionary with a real ability to follow through and get things done. We’re going to miss him dearly. As a group with a shared admiration for this man, we wish to express our deepest sympathy to his family and to put a big thank you on the record to Brian Lenihan, on behalf of the children he had the vision to invest in. – Yours, etc,