Former agriculture minister Joe Walsh passes away
Taoiseach Enda Kenny joined Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin in their praise for Mr Walsh, whose near-decade in charge of agriculture is best remembered for his handling of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease crisis.
The former Cork South West TD died in Cork University Hospital yesterday following an illness, aged 71. He is survived by his wife Marie and five children.
Large crowds are expected to pay their respects at his home in Clonakilty this evening, where he was lying in repose, and at his funeral Mass tomorrow.
Mr Kenny described him as a dedicated representative of his constituency, and sent sympathy to his family and the Fianna Fáil party.
“He will be remembered in particular for his decisive and successful management of the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001,” said Mr Kenny.
Mr Martin said that crisis leadership was instrumental in mitigating a disaster with the potential to wipe out a way of life, and it was recognised internationally with honours from France and Spain. He also emphasised the importance to Mr Walsh of his native West Cork. “He was a passionate advocate for his community in Clonakilty and his beloved West Cork. He was also a good and loyal friend,” said Mr Martin.
Farming organisations also praised his legacy, which ICSA president Patrick Kent said may live longest for his decision to introduce full decoupling for Ireland after the 2003 CAP reform process in which he played a central role.
“This decision was brave given many were opposed to it, but in the fullness of time most came to realise it was the correct one,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said Mr Walsh made a significant contribution to West Cork as a senior minister and would be remembered for his calm leadership in the foot-and-mouth crisis. Sinn Féin agriculture spokesman Martin Ferris expressed his condolences to the Walsh family.
Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton recalled seeing his supreme command of his brief when she served with him as a minister from 1992 to 1994, and said his chairmanship of the EU Council of Ministers was a “testament to his sharp political skill”.
Mr Walsh first won a Dáil seat in 1977, having served on Cork County Council, and usually secured 20% to 30% of votes cast in Cork South West. One exception was in 1981, when he failed to get re-elected, but he became a TD again the next year after a four-month stint in the Seanad.
His first ministerial appointment was as Minister for Food from 1987, and he became Agriculture Minister in February 1992 until December 1994 and the fall of the Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition. He was back in the same job after the 1997 general election and held it until he stepped down from Cabinet ahead of a September 2004 reshuffle.
He was a major supporter of the horseracing industry, serving on the boards of Cork Racecourse in Mallow and other racing institutions, and also as a director of many local organisations.
He was a director of West Cork and international outsourcing employer SouthWestern Business Process Services. In 2009, he became the Government’s public interest director on the Bank of Ireland board.
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