Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I gcás Peter Kelly, ceiliúraimid dea-bheatha duine a d’oibrigh ar mhaithe leis an saol. Bhí grá mór aige do phobal a cheantair féin. Bhí grá aige do dhaoine i gcoitinne agus bhí sé an-tugtha don pholaitíocht. Bhí clú agus cáil air ar fheabhas a dhúthrachta agus de bharr gur oibrigh sé go dian dícheallach ar son mhuintir Longfoirt thar na blianta fada. Fear mór teaglaigh ab ea é, a raibh pearsantacht bheoga, mheanmnach aige. D’fhág a bhás easnamh orainn.

I am grateful for this opportunity to pay tribute to a member of the Fianna Fáil political family who gave a lifetime of service to our country, Peter Kelly. With Peter Kelly, we celebrate a life well lived. He loved his community, he loved people, and he loved politics. Famous for his commitment and hard work, he served the people of Longford with distinction over many years.

Peter Kelly had three great passions in life: his family and friends, Fianna Fáil, and Longford. To those who met him, he was "Peter Kelly, Longford". I recall him introducing himself to me as that many times, even at a point when we knew each other, because that was how he always introduced himself. A great storyteller, he told the story of the county and the community he loved so much with wit, eloquence and ability.

A funeral director as well as a publican, Peter’s favourite job was undoubtedly being a Deputy. In 2011, after nine years in this House, he decided to stand in the general election, even though he knew he would probably lose his seat. When others bowed out, he stayed the course, because he believed the people should have their say, even if it meant they were choosing someone else. That is an admirable characteristic. However, his defining characteristic was loyalty. He was loyal to his party, his family, and his county. I am also told Peter was a great singer and loved a good singsong at the bar. I may have gone home at that stage. When he got going, it was said that even Elvis Presley would not hold a candle to him.

Peter was slow to embrace new technology, and I am told he was the last remaining Member to use a fax machine. A few years ago he was making a representation to the HSE and asked for the fax number in their office. When told they did not have a fax machine, he asked "Where are you?" to which the official replied: "Well, I don’t know where you are, but I’m in 2016". It is a measure of Peter’s graciousness and good humour that he loved to tell that story at his own expense. In later years his wife, Maura, who I believe he always called "The Rose of Castlerea", looked after newfangled innovations like email for him. I offer my condolences and that of the Fine Gael party to his loving wife, Maura, and to their three children, Emily, Peter and Joseph, their grandchildren, and to all their family and friends.

People who knew Peter tell me that his defining characteristic was that he always put people first. He wanted to spend time with people - a valuable attribute in today's very busy times - he wanted to work with people and, above all, he wanted to help people. The words used to describe him capture the man: decent, honourable, old school. Longford will always remember Peter Kelly, their political colossus who did so much for the county he loved.

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