Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words, as Senator O'Malley has done, about the private person rather than about Dr Hillery's wonderful record of statesmanship. He was a neighbour of mine for many years, as was his wife, Maeve. His children, particularly Vivienne, played in the pony club with our children. He was also a member of the same golf club as myself and on many occasions we teased one another with regard to that. In addition, he was a customer of mine and his lack of airs and graces was impressive. He walked to the shop to do the shopping and I remember meeting him on the very day it was announced that he was to become President. He was chatting to customers and continued to do so.

He did a lot of other work and Senator Norris has asked me to talk about his support and friendship during the Joyce centenary celebrations. He was a parishioner in the same parish as mine and I understand that he received the highest papal honour ever bestowed on an Irish person — the Order of Pope Pius X — for various works he undertook. I have referred to those matters because other speakers mentioned so many different things the late Paddy Hillery accomplished.

When I first ran for a seat in this House in 1992, I wondered whom I could ask for a nomination. I decided to seek that nomination from Paddy Hillery, a person I admired so much. When I phoned to ask if he would nominate me, he very happily did so then and again in 1997 and 2002. Last year, when I phoned again seeking a nomination, Mrs. Maeve Hillery told me he was not there but that he would call back. Later on he phoned my wife who told me, "He is not going to nominate you this year. I think you didn't give him a short putt on the 18th hole". It turned out, however, that he could not nominate me because his son, Dr. John Hillery, was also running in the same NUI constituency. He was embarrassed at the time but we laughed about it afterwards.

Paddy Hillery has left behind him neighbours, parishioners and friends as well as a wider and greatly admiring public. Looking back, we can say that he left the world a better place for his presence.