VIDEO: Modern Ireland ‘has much to learn from Michael Collins’ says George Hook

Irish politicians have a lust for power and have totally forgotten the lessons of probity and good character left by Michael Collins, hundreds of attendees at the annual Béal na Bláth ceremony in West Cork heard yesterday.

Broadcaster George Hook, who delivered the keynote oration, said Collins had an integrity which was best evidenced from recent archives which revealed that he submitted petrol expenses to WT Cosgrave but only after he had deducted personal mileage.

“It was typical of the man… Ivor Callely obviously did not study Collins,” said Mr Hook.

The Newstalk presenter said Irish people can only dream about what kind of Ireland might have been created if Collins’ life had not been cut off so prematurely.

“Michael Collins is best remembered as a military figure — and rightly so,” he said.

“But it is only part of the bigger picture. He was first and foremost a nation- builder. He had not just vision but he was extremely practical and a superb administrator in the Department of Finance.”

Mr Hook, who grew up in Albert Rd, Cork, insisted that Irish society needs to learn from individuals such as Collins that power should never be “up for auction”.

“The seducers with honeyed words promise an easy way to financial sovereignty — taxes can be reduced, we can continue to spend more than we take in and we can borrow indefinitely,” he said. “But Collins told the truth in a simple and unvarnished way… That the Irish people are willing to pay any price, bear any burden to make this country a better place for their children and grandchildren. Collins dead is as powerful [to Ireland] now as Collins alive.”

Mr Hook said the problem for Fine Gael was that it ranked as the most unsuccessful political party in Europe in the 20th century — having never been re-elected despite never having fallen below second in the national vote.

The Right Hook presenter, who previously said the invitation to deliver the oration ranked as the greatest honour of his life, also stressed that politicians had failed to learn from Collins and his determination to do what was best for Ireland rather than his career.

He said Collins realised that signing the peace treaty with Britain was in the national interest, even though, he knew he was putting his life at risk in signing the treaty.

Mr Hook also criticised four Fianna Fáil taoisigh for their terms of office, saying none had proved beneficial to the country.

“[Eamon] de Valera, [Jack] Lynch, [Charles] Haughey, and [Bertie] Ahern, all brought Ireland to the brink of financial implosion in their lust for power,” he said.

Michael Collins was killed on August 22, 1922, after being ambushed on the Cork to Bandon road by anti-Treaty IRA forces.

Speakers at the commemoration over the years have included film director David Puttnam, Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney, and broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy.