Neil Blaney had a lot to offer
Friday November 27 2009
I AM disgusted but unsurprised by the image given of my father, Neil T Blaney, by Charles Lysaght in his review of the new book about Sean Lemass in the Irish Independent Book Review.
In his review he states that Neil T Blaney had little to offer in the Lemass government "except a Republican paternity". This not only shows Mr Lysaght's ignorance of my father but also of the subject he is "reviewing". I cannot help but assume Mr Lysaght is blinded by the all-too-familiar, anti-Republican tinted glasses.
For Mr Lysaght's information, my father was a very prominent member of the Irish government from the tender age of 24, as was my grandfather. After my grandfather died, my father became a TD for Donegal. He gave his life to politics from 24 years of age until he was 72. He devoted his life to this country and making it a better place.
Neil T Blaney had very hard Republican views -- this was because of his real life experiences as a child and a young adult.
His views should not shroud his achievements, which is what a lot of commentators like to do these days -- carry on the old propaganda . . . if you're Republican you are bad and nothing else.
What Mr Lysaght does not mention in his review is that Sean Lemass had my father in his cabinet because he was a very able politician and a great organiser. He got the jobs done that other people would shy away from, he was fearless and he knew he was not in politics to make friends. He made decisions based on what was right for Ireland and its future, not what people thought of him. He was a leader.
Mr Lysaght fails to mention that Neil T Blaney held three ministerial posts and excelled in all of them. He became an independent TD after Jack Lynch sacked him wrongly for the infamous "gun-running". He also became an MEP for Connacht/Ulster and spent many years there working hard for Ireland.
For a young man "who had little to offer except Republican paternity" he certainly did a hell of a lot for this country.
Men of my father's generation worked hard and devoted their life with honesty and integrity to make this country great. This unfortunately cannot be said of the majority today.
AnnraoI Blaney
Howth, Co DUBLIN
Irish Independent
