A New Republic, Corish's vision, its time has come again.

Fair play to former Mayor of Wexford, Helen Corish Wylde. When she organises something, she doesn’t do half measures. Saturday afternoon in Wexford library was a full on for anyone with an interest in politics. A century ago, Brendan Corish was born. We are in the period when centenaries are being marked. Who better than Corish to deserve the honour?

A number of speakers from family and politics gave rare insights into Corish, the man and politician who was loved by the people among who he grew up among for his humility, decency and passion. If he hadn’t been a politician he may well have carved out a career on the stage.
About 100 people from across the political divide, across the country along with family and Brendan's widow Phylis reflected on a career, its challenges and how Ireland could have been transformed.

But he was no shrinking violet. He was in government in difficult times. A recession caused by the 1973 Arab Israeli war while north of the border the troubles threatened to tear apart our state. At a time when politicians regularly receive abuse it’s timely to recall that Corish had his house picketed and his dog poisoned. Armed gardaí were a regular feature along the corridors of his ministerial office. If that wasn’t enough he had to tell his sons that if they were kidnapped the government had already decreed that there would be no deal done to secure their release. Helen and Brendan’s son Richard gave a good personal insight into how Corish preferred nothing other than to be home in Wexford with his beloved Phylis, have a flutter on a horse and small one.

Barry Desmond gave a really valuable insight into the internal divisions of the Labour Party at the time. Divisions around personality, approach to the North but also based on union affiliation of Labour TD’s. Desmond was employed by ITGWU as a researcher. Now in his mid 80’s you can still hear his researchers mind click into gear as he rattles off about Jimmy Tully (always at his desk in the Customs House by 7AM) Michael O’Leary (Dismissed by some unions but who gave us the Unfair Dismissals act and legislated for equality) and Cluskey who ensured that children’s allowance was paid to the mother. Each character vividly described and flesh put on the bones by Barry.

Tony Browne gave a great insight into social welfare where ITGWU had a coalition with FWUI in the form of Corish and Cluskey! Brendan Halligan couldn’t attend put his paper was read by Jack McGinley. It analysed the oft derided speech where Corish gave his assessment at how Ireland had failed when it came to providing an education for its children, failed in health care provision, failed in providing jobs and where emigration was a way of life. Corish said that the market had failed and that private sector could not deliver for the public. That’s why he called for a New Republic saying the Seventies would be socialist.

Of course it didn’t turn out like that as the economy nose dived while the state had to consider the possible implosion had the troubles in the north deteriorated further. The speech was carefully crafted and he wore his colours with pride, caring little about the inevitable disparagement it would give rise to. Brendan Howlin took up this theme in his closing contribution. Labour’s recent conference had the slogan A New Republic. The challenge now to Labour is the same challenge that met us 50 years ago. This was first coined by Corish 50 years ago. Corish opposed inequality, being the first minister to meet with the gay community. His own personal views were that a person’s life is a matter for themselves. He was personally a churchgoer but not fervent. Corish faced a huge demand for housing so he went to Richie Ryan in the Department of Finance and they found the money to provide it. Corish opposed discrimination against women, wanted to provide jobs and a future across the country.

Brendan Howlin quoted Corish from 1967 "There is serious doubt and concern about our present rate of progress. It is widely believed that we are unable to solve any of the major problems confronting us. Disquiet and apathy, cynicism and indifference are not healthy attitudes in a democracy, but they are widely prevalent in ours. While conservatives argue that we are better off without change, progressives argue that we can change things for the better."  In half a century, very little has changed.

One final story about Brendan Corish. Late one night he got a knock on the door when he was a minister. A man enters the house and is ushered into the sitting room. The man introduces himself to Corish as he isn’t one of his supporters. “I’ve a very serious and delicate problem to discuss with you. I normally vote for Sir Anthony Esmonde (FG) however he’s a gentleman and I couldn’t disturb him at this time of night about this matter”.

There’s many a Labour stalwart who had similar experiences. That says something about the type of party Labour is and why a New Republic is now more important than ever before