Former Labour TD and Chief Whip Emmet Stagg dies

Mr Stagg was a TD within the constituencies of Kildare North and Kildare from 1987 till 2016.

He served as Minister of State for the Surroundings and later as Minister of State for Transport, Vitality and Communications from 1994 to 1997.

Mr Stagg was additionally the occasion Chief Whip from 2006 to 2016 and the Deputy Authorities Whip from 2011 to 2016.

President Michael D Higgins stated: “Emmet Stagg shall be remembered by all these with whom he served in Leinster Home for his generosity and kindness in direction of all of his colleagues, and certainly for his respect for individuals in all events.

“Emmet embodied the spirit of the Labour Social gathering in its finest sense. This was delivered in his weekly and day by day service to his constituents, the place he was one of the vital hardworking TDs that I can keep in mind in my time in Dáil Éireann.

“Certainly, nobody may sustain with the tempo at which Emmet labored for his constituents throughout his 29 years of unbroken service as a TD from 1987 to 2016.

This spirit was additionally represented within the principled stances which Emmet took on so many vital coverage issues for which he was a terrific, brave and courageous campaigner. This included his long-term assist for Irish individuals dwelling within the UK. It was our apply over time to go to the Irish centres in Britain in December.

“Emmet was a deeply dedicated Minister of State for Housing and City Renewal, most likely the most effective knowledgeable politicians that there was on the significance of public and social housing.

“It was a selected privilege for me to share an workplace with Emmet for various the years through which I served within the Dáil. One of many issues which Emmet usually shared with us was his love of gardening. It was all the time one of many nice surprises when Emmet would herald to these sharing his workplace the produce of his backyard in Straffan, or to listen to of his fishing expeditions in his beloved Mayo.

“I’ll keep in mind Emmet as certainly one of my closest buddies in Leinster Home, he shall be deeply missed. Could I lengthen my deepest sympathies to his spouse Mary, his kids Gillian and Henry, and to all his household, colleagues and lots of buddies.

“Síocháin síoraí dá anam lách uasal.”

Labour occasion chief Ivana Bacik additionally paid tribute to the previous TD, describing him as a “pillar” of Labour politics who shall be “significantly missed by all who knew him”.

Mr Stagg has an “unbroken file” of 29 years within the Dáil since he was first elected in 1987 till 2016.

“Outdoors of politics he additionally had a eager curiosity in gardening and fishing, and regaled us all around the years with many tales. Our deepest sympathies are with Mary and his household right now.”

He represented the constituencies of Kildare and Kildare North and performed a “central function” within the occasion and inner debates, Ms Bacik stated.

“In the course of the Eighties as a major voice on the left of the Social gathering he articulated positions usually in confrontation with the management. He was additionally a terrific mentor to me once I first joined the Social gathering as a pupil within the late Eighties and was all the time very supportive of Labour Youth inside the Social gathering,” she stated.

“Canvassing in Kildare with Emmet was a very optimistic expertise – he was massively fashionable in his group and persistently championed the wants of these dealing with inequality and drawback.”

Mr Stagg served as Minister of State for the Surroundings and later as Minister of State for Transport, Vitality and Communications from 1994 to 1997.

“Emmet was a pillar of Labour politics, each in Leinster Home, and in Kildare, and he shall be significantly missed by all who knew him. He was variety and thoughtful, and maintained a eager curiosity in Labour politics even after leaving the Dáil.

“These of us who knew him as a good friend and supportive mentor over a few years are notably saddened by the information of his passing,” Ms Bacik stated.

“Outdoors of politics he additionally had a eager curiosity in gardening and fishing, and regaled us all around the years with many tales. Our deepest sympathies are with Mary and his household right now.”

Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin stated Mr Stagg was a “constant and passionate voice for the susceptible in society” as he paid tribute to the previous politician.