Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on the death of T.K. Whitaker
Date: Tue 10th Jan, 2017 | 07:04
10 January 2017
I have learned with great sadness of the death of Thomas Ken Whitaker, a man who contributed so much to his country and his people.
Born in 1916, T.K. Whitaker’s life’s work stands as the embodiment of the finest qualities and aspirations of the Irish people.
As an economist and as a public servant, he contributed enormously to the building of an independent Ireland. He was recognised for this in the popular vote of him as the most influential Irish person of the last century.
His seminal work 'Economic Development' made him one of the driving forces behind the First Programme for Economic Expansion 1958-1963. He rose in the ranks of the Civil Service to become Secretary General of the Department of Finance.
T.K. Whitaker was equally dedicated to the search for peace. Just as his writing on economic development cast the mold for economic policies in Ireland, so did his paper on "Possible Solutions" define Government policy on Irish re-unification, by asserting the principle of popular consent. The Good Friday Agreement would be unimaginable without T.K. Whitaker.
His work as Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System 1983-1985, and as Chairman of the Constitution Review Group, also stands out as demonstrations of his broad intellectual ability, but also of his deep commitment to the principles of justice and to the creation of a compassionate and fair Ireland. T.K. Whitaker was President of the Economic and Social Research Institute from 1974 until 1987.
He understood Ireland and its people at a profound level, but what is more, he loved Ireland deeply - its people, language and culture. He was Chairman of Bórd na Gaeilge from 1975 to 1978. Ken Whitaker dedicated his life to fulfilling our founder’s dreams of what an independent Ireland might become.
He served a member of Seanad Éireann from 1977 to 1982 and as Chancellor of the National University of Ireland for twenty years.
I had the privilege and also the great pleasure to know Dr. Whitaker. His great energy and intellectual rigour was matched by an irresistible personal charm. He was as inspiring as he was impressive, and as fine an Irishman as there has been.
May I convey my deepest sympathies to the Whitaker family on behalf of the Irish people at this sad time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.