Bernard Allen was a proud Cork man and a patriotic Irish man in the true meaning of the word. He gave a lifetime of service to the people of Cork and to his country. I feel privileged to follow in his footsteps as a Minster of State and TD for Cork North Central.
He was born in 1944 an only child to a hardworking family in Blarney Street in the heart of Cork's Northside. Bernard was educated at one of Cork’s great schools, North Monastery Secondary School. His name joins other famous past pupils of the school who include Jack Lynch, Tomas McCurtain and Terence McSwiney.
Later, Bernard attended UCC studying chemical technology. After qualifying he became a scientific officer in the Department of Physiology, UCC.
Elected to Cork Corporation in 1979, one of the highlights of his political career was being elected Lord Mayor and First Citizen of Cork in 1988. He remained a member of Cork Corporation until 1995.
As a local councillor, as a TD and minister, Bernard was a tireless worker for his Cork North Central constituents, the wider Cork community and the people of Ireland. In all of those years he helped thousands of people deal with issues no matter how small.
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He was elected to the Dáil in 1981 as part of the Garret FitzGerald wave of new, young Fine Gael TDs and was elected on every subsequent occasion during the following 30 years; a testament of a capable, hardworking politician. When John Bruton became Taoiseach in 1994 Bernard was appointed a Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for Sport.
Subsequently he was appointed to the Department of the Environment with responsibility for Local Government reform. He served loyally under five Fine Gael leaders and retired undefeated in 2011.
Love for sport and an appreciation of its importance in community life was an abiding interest of Bernard's. He was a strong advocate for investment in sports infrastructure in Cork and across the country.
He was instrumental in putting together the North Ridge Project with funding of over €850,000 from his department, Cork City Council and St. Vincents GAA, Na Piarsaigh Hurling & Football Club, Castleview AFC and Temple United FC.
After leaving public office in 2011 he was appointed a Board Member of Sport Ireland by the government and served with dedication and integrity in that role for over 13 years. In particular, he rejoiced in the achievements of all Cork teams and individuals across all areas of sports in Ireland.
His talents were further recognised by Enda Kenny when he was appointed Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee — the most powerful of all Dáil committees. He remained PAC chair until his retirement in 2011.
When his colleagues in Fine Gael talk of Bernard Allen they always do so in complimentary terms. He was regarded as friendly, courteous, respectful and loyal.
He had an open mind and a warm engaging personality with a capacity to reach out to people and make connections and friends. He was measured and thoughtful with his advice and for this reason he exercised a great deal of quiet influence.
Education was another important interest in Bernard’s life. He served on the Governing Body of Cork Institute of Technology and played a major role in the creation of Munster Technological University, chairing the committee charged with its creation by merging CIT and IT Tralee.
Throughout his whole public life, he was strongly committed to improving the public health system. His time in the UCC Faculty of Medicine gave him many contacts in the medical profession.
He served as a member of the former Southern Health Board for many years always advocating for equity in healthcare. No doubt he would be impressed on the progress now being made in this regard.
Family was all important for Bernard. A most important happening in his life was meeting Marie Dorney whom he subsequently married. He was immensely proud of his three daughters, Lorraine, Deirdre and Audrey and he rejoiced in the company of his three grand-children, Aria, Kayla and Maria.
All his family can be comforted by the knowledge that Bernard was a good man, respected and loved by many, many people. I have known Bernard Allen for over 40 years. I have always admired him as a role model for anyone aspiring to be a public representative.
He has been my political mentor for many years and I have always valued his advice and guidance. He imparted to all his fellow politicians: “Respect people and it will always come back to you”.
I have lost a very important friend with his passing.
Ar dheis Dé a Anam dílis.
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