Statement by Brendan Howlin on death of TK Whitaker

I am saddened to hear of the death of TK Whitaker one of our nation’s greatest public servants.  

My thoughts first and foremost are with his family. 

Whitaker embodied public service in Ireland and was in many ways the father of our economic prosperity and growth. His economic reforms were a model of fearless, far sighted public service. 

Only last month we celebrated TK Whitaker’s 100th birthday where we reflected on the role he had on shaping the direction of the State and our relationships with Northern Ireland and the European Union. 

Among his many achievements in public life, TK Whitaker wrote the groundbreaking first Programme for Economic Expansion, in 1958, offering hope where there was none and leading Ireland into a period of unparalleled constructive growth and optimism.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.