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'She will be greatly missed': Tributes paid to former TD Monica Barnes

Barnes passed away at the age of 82.

File Photo Monica Barnes Has Died. End. Monica Barnes RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to former Fine Gael TD Monica Barnes who has died at the age of 82.

Barnes represented the Dún Laoghaire constituency in Dublin and was first elected in 1982 to the Dáil.

President Michael D Higgins was among the dozens to pay tributes to Barnes.

“I am very saddened to learn of the death of former TD and Senator Monica Barnes who provided exceptional public service to the people of Dún Laoghaire and Ireland over many years,” Higgins said.

Monica was a proud feminist and championed women’s rights throughout her parliamentary career and beyond. She was a pioneer in the struggle for a space for women’s rights to be discussed.

“Indeed, she chaired the Oireachtas Committee on Women’s Rights and was a passionate advocate for all aspects of women’s empowerment. Her distinguished career also included serving on the Council of State from 1990 to 1995,” he said.

“I know she will be greatly missed by all who knew and served with her.”

Women for Election paid tribute to Barnes this evening.

Fine Gael TD Frances Fitzgerald said that she was “deeply shocked” to hear of the death of Barnes.

“Monica made a critical and important contribution to improving women’s lives in Ireland. She was a strong voice in Dáil Éireann at a time when there were few female elected representatives and indeed few women in public life,” Fitzgerald said.

“Monica was an inspiration to me and many other women who followed her into the Dáil. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her,” she added.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said that Barnes was a “courageous and outspoken voice in Irish politics at a time when progressive voices were few and far between”.

Fearless yet courteous, Monica made friends across the political spectrum, and I know that there are many people in Leinster House and across the country who will mourn her passing today.

“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dhílis.”

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 3rd 2018, 9:57 PM

    She did much good work. She was a conviction politician with real convictions.

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    May 3rd 2018, 10:02 PM

    @Michael Lang: A giant who served at a time of moral pygmies.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 3rd 2018, 10:11 PM

    @Larry Doyle: that is well and truly said.

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    Mute Carmel S Larkin
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    May 3rd 2018, 11:41 PM

    @Larry Doyle: loved by many throughout Ireland

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    Mute Jane L. Murphy
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    May 3rd 2018, 10:21 PM

    My sincere sympathies to the family of Monica. She has been an advocate for all Irish women and served this Country so well as both a TD and Senator. A Lady who we should all applaud and follow by her example. May she rest in peace.

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    Mute Carmel S Larkin
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    May 3rd 2018, 11:43 PM

    @Jane L. Murphy: I loved her as so did a lot of Irish people

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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 3rd 2018, 9:59 PM

    RIP.

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    Mute William Kelly
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    May 4th 2018, 7:54 AM

    Impressive Lady. She did the state some service. Rip.

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    Mute Konjac noodles
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    May 4th 2018, 7:11 AM

    So Ashamed of FG what a waste of a life

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    Mute Jodi
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    May 4th 2018, 9:07 AM

    @Konjac noodles: What the F are you on about? How can you try and politicise someone’s death?

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    May 4th 2018, 9:30 AM

    @Jodi: Maggie thatcher?

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    Mute Jodi
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    May 4th 2018, 9:47 AM

    @Sean Conway: What the F are you on about? How can you try and politicise someone’s death?

    That was about her actions though, this comment is about the party she served and is just point-scoring…

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    May 4th 2018, 10:55 AM

    @Jodi: Monica Barnes was a member of FG and a govt that had many faults, but on social issues like contraception and divorce, they were centuries ahead of FF. Monica Barnes was at the forefront of this and other women’s issues. Unfortunatly they got railroaded into having a referendum on the 8th amendment which is still having repercussions, but she was the sort on conviction politician that had traditionally been all too scarce in Ireland. We need more like her, right now.

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