President and Labour Party leader lead tributes to late Kildare TD Emmet Stagg

President Michael D Higgins and Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik have led tributes to former Kildare TD Emmet Stagg, who  passed away at the age of 79.

In a statement, President Higgins said: "Emmet Stagg will be remembered by all those with whom he served in Leinster House for his generosity and kindness towards all of his colleagues, and indeed for his respect for people in all parties. 

"Emmet embodied the spirit of the Labour Party in its best sense. This was delivered in his weekly and daily service to his constituents, where he was one of the most hardworking TDs that I can remember in my time in Dáil Éireann. Indeed, no one could keep up with the pace at which Emmet worked for his constituents during his 29 years of unbroken service as a TD from 1987 to 2016.

"This spirit was also represented in the principled stances which Emmet took on so many important policy matters for which he was a great, courageous and brave campaigner. This included his long-term support for Irish people living in the UK. It was our practice over the years to visit the Irish centres in Britain in December.

"Emmet was a deeply committed Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, probably one of the best informed politicians that there has been on the importance of public and social housing.

"It was a particular privilege for me to share an office with Emmet for a number of the years in which I served in the Dáil. One of the things which Emmet often shared with us was his love of gardening. It was always one of the great surprises when Emmet would bring in to those sharing his office the produce of his garden in Straffan, or to hear of his fishing expeditions in his beloved Mayo.

"I will remember Emmet as one of my closest friends in Leinster House, he will be deeply missed.

"May I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, his children Gillian and Henry, and to all his family, colleagues and many friends.

"Síocháin síoraí dá anam lách uasal.”

Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik said:

“I want to pay tribute to our friend and colleague Emmet Stagg on his passing, and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, children Gillian and Henry, extended family, friends, and supporters. 

Emmet had a continuous unbroken record of 29 years’ service in the Dáil from 1987 right up to 2016 in the constituencies of Kildare and Kildare North following in the proud Labour tradition of William Norton there. 

“Throughout his time in Labour politics he played a central role in the Party and in the internal debates within it. During the 1980’s as a significant voice on the left of the Party he articulated positions often in confrontation with the leadership. He was also a great mentor to me when I first joined the Party as a student in the late 1980's and was always very supportive of Labour Youth within the Party. Canvassing in Kildare with Emmet was a really positive experience - he was hugely popular in his community and consistently championed the needs of those facing inequality and disadvantage.

“Emmet's differences with the leadership were reconciled in the 1990’s and Emmet went on to serve as Minister of State for the Environment and later as Minister of State for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1994 to 1997.

“In the Custom House he was responsible for Housing and he proudly spoke later of his record of building homes and reducing housing lists, and how the level of homes being delivered was ramped up from 800 units a year to 10,000. He was a strong and constant advocate for direct building of social and affordable homes by local authorities.

“In the Dáil he was a frontbench spokesperson on a variety of areas, and often deployed his knowledge as a medical technologist in debates on health. Most recently he served as Labour Chief Whip from 2007 right up until 2016, and as Deputy Government Whip during the 2011 to 2016 government.

“Emmet was a pillar of Labour politics, both in Leinster House, and in Kildare, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was kind and considerate, and maintained a keen interest in Labour politics even after leaving the Dáil.

"Those of us who knew him as a friend and supportive mentor over many years are particularly saddened by the news of his passing. Outside of politics he also had a keen interest in gardening and fishing, and regaled us all over the years with many stories. Our deepest sympathies are with Mary and his family at this time."

Serving as a TD for a remarkable 29 years, Mr Stagg represented both the Kildare and Kildare North constituencies from 1987 to 2016.

During his tenure, Mr Stagg held significant positions within the government, notably serving twice as a minister of state in the Rainbow Coalition Government, a coalition comprising Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Democratic Left.

From 1993 to 1994, he held the role of Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, followed by a term as Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy, and Communications from 1994 to 1997.

He assumed the position of Labour Party Chief Whip from 2007 to 2016 and served as Deputy Government Chief Whip from 2011 to 2016.

Despite losing his seat in the 2016 general election, Mr Stagg remained committed to public service, contesting the 2020 election in an attempt to regain his seat. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in this endeavor.

Following the death of former Kildare Labour TD and Minister of State Emmet Stagg, Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik said: "I want to pay tribute to our friend and colleague Emmet Stagg on his passing, and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, children Gillian and Henry, extended family, friends, and supporters. 

"Emmet was a pillar of Labour politics, both in Leinster House, and in Kildare, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was kind and considerate, and maintained a keen interest in Labour politics even after leaving the Dáil.

"Those of us who knew him as a friend and supportive mentor over many years are particularly saddened by the news of his passing. Outside of politics he also had a keen interest in gardening and fishing, and regaled us all over the years with many stories. Our deepest sympathies are with Mary and his family at this time."