Emmet Stagg, a seasoned politician from Mayo and a previous TD for Kildare under the Labour Party’s banner, passed away at the age of 79 on March 17th, 2024. Born on October 1st, 1944, Stagg’s political career marked its presence in the Dáil from 1987 to 2016 uninterrupted. Even when he was 75, he demonstrated his political passion by participating in the 2020 general elections as the most senior candidate, representing the Labour Party in Kildare North, however he wasn’t successful.
Stagg held the role of minister of State for the Environment between 1993 and 1994 when his strong belief in direct social housing construction by local governments was intense. His legacy includes constructing housing establishments and decreasing housing waiting lists during his tenure. Later, he served in the department of transport, energy and communications as minister of State from 1994 until 1997.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Stagg emerged as an influential figure in the Labour Party’s inner politics. Known as a leading individual within the party’s strong left-wing faction, he was seen in the same light as Michael D Higgins and Joe Higgins. He was known to oppose any coalition with Fine Gael and challenged then party leader Dick Spring. He also resisted Spring’s decision to expel Joe Higgins at the 1989 Labour Party conference. At one point, he contemplated a shift to the nascent Democratic Left party in the early 1990s, but eventually sorted out his differences and went on to become the Labour Party chief whip from 2007 to 2016. He served as deputy chief whip during the coalition with Fine Gael between 2011 and 2016.
When in opposition, Stagg held the position of a Labour Party spokesperson on the front bench, handling diverse portfolios including agriculture and social welfare. Pat Rabbitte, the former Labour Party leader, described Stagg as an unwavering left-wing beacon showing deep conviction towards ideology and policy. The Labour Party leader, Ivana Bacik, acknowledged Stagg as an influential mentor to her during her early days in the party as a student in the late 80s. She praised him for his consistent support of Labour Youth within the party and his immense popularity within his community. According to her, Stagg consistently stood up for the rights of those grappling with inequality and disadvantage.
Michael D Higgins, the President, had a close bond with Stagg, as they shared an office in Leinster House for years. Stagg, recognised as a determined campaigner, was acknowledged by the President as amongst the most industrious TDs he encountered throughout his service at Dáil Éireann. Both politicians often visited Irish communities in Britain, and Stagg consistently supported the Irish diaspora in the UK.
During a 2004 Dáil debate regarding prospective government funding for Irish immigrants, Stagg noted the destitution in Ireland’s west that led to extreme emigration in the 50s and 60s. He nostalgically referenced de Valera’s rigorous Republic overpowered by a haughty clergy, and widespread poverty manifesting in sporadic meat supplies, pervasive tuberculosis, severe schooling, and prohibitive secondary school costs. This forced young individuals in de Valera’s Republic into leaving the country in search for employment for survival. Stagg mentioned the finances these emigres sent home aiding their families transition out of impoverishment.
Stagg’s roots are in a small south Mayo farm close to the village of Hollymount, he was one amongst 13 siblings born to Mary and Henry Stagg. His father served in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. Disliking his time at Christian Brothers School in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, Stagg moved to Dublin post secondary schooling to serve as an apprentice laboratory technologist at Trinity College Dublin. The courses were conducted at the now Technological University of Dublin’s College of Technology, Kevin Street and exams were administered by the Institute of Medical Technologies, London. During his service at Trinity, he met Mary Morris, another laboratory technologist with whom he tied the knot in 1968 and settled in a home in Straffan, Co Kildare, raising their two children Gillian and Henry.
Mary showed an active participation in politics, playing a role in the Labour Women’s Council at a local level. She was committed to educating the children on local events to instil the importance of social rights. She mentioned her husband’s commitment to helping people at his numerous local clinics regardless of their political ideologies. Further, she expressed her admiration for Noël Browne, a known Irish politician who had spent some time in Co Mayo, and who had greatly inspired Stagg.
In 1976, tragedy struck when Stagg’s brother, Frank, a Provisional IRA member, passed away during a hunger strike held in West Yorkshire’s jail. In light of this, Stagg, along with various recognized politicians of that era, was believed to have been threatened by IRA members due to his protest against reburying his brother (originally laid to rest near Hollymount in their family burial grounds) in Ballina, Co Mayo’s renowned republican area. Stagg remained a staunch opposer of the IRA throughout his political journey and even necessitated the security services of Special Branch Garda detectives for several years, despite some of his siblings’s support for Sinn Féin.
Stagg ushered in his career in politics in 1979 when he was initially elected to represent the Celbridge region of Kildare County Council for the Labour Party. His council works continued until 2003 when he had to resign from his position due to the termination of the dual mandate that allowed simultaneously serving in a local authority and in Dáil Éireann. His unwavering dedication to the locals in his constituency served him throughout his tenure.
In 1993, Stagg faced questioning by the gardaí near Phoenix Park, a common locale for gay men, regarding an incident which, eventually, wasn’t verified as a crime, and no charges were discerned.
Amid his humble upbringing in Mayo, characterized by poverty and Catholic Church dominance, Stagg held a deep affection for his birthplace. An enthusiastic fisherman, he maintained a family-owned boat on Lough Carra and spent every summer holiday in Mayo. Apart from this, he enjoyed gardening his entire life and was remembered by his colleagues in Leinster House for often sharing the produce from his Straffan garden.
Emmet Stagg has left behind his spouse, Mary, his offspring, Gillian and Henry, and his granddaughters Nessa and Cara. He also leaves his brothers Seán and George and his sisters Maureen, Bríd, Siobhán and Martha. His departure was preceded by his brothers Joe, Patsy, Proinsias (also known as Frank) and Micheal, and his sisters Rosaleen and Veronica.