Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We have been saddened by the passing of a friend and colleague in the Oireachtas, the late Senator Kieran Phelan, this morning. Kieran was a well-known, much admired and greatly respected Member of Seanad Éireann. He was a constituency colleague of mine and a lifelong friend, and we will miss him deeply.

He was an unassuming gentleman, kind, easygoing and dependable and he was loyal to his friends. He had a real ability to relate to people and had a keen political sense. He had a strong sense of humour and a strong work ethic.

He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and strong commitment to public service. He was a hugely committed member of our party. He served on Laois County Council from 1991 to 2003 and he was an effective and proud chairman of Laois County Council in 1998 and 1999. He was elected to Seanad Éireann in 2002 and re-elected in 2007. His passing will be mourned right across political life. He is a great loss to public service, to his community and to his many, many friends.

Of course, his loss will be felt most keenly by those who knew him best and loved him most. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Mary, his five children, Fiona, Martina, Brenda, Aisling and Patrick and his extended family, many of whom I know well and value as friends.

Fear misniúil, cróga, uasal a bhí ann a sciob an bás uainn go tobann ar maidin. Déanaim comhbhrón pearsanta dá chlann, dá mhuintir agus dá chairde. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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