Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

It was with great regret and sadness that I learned of the sudden death of our colleague, Peter Callanan, on Sunday evening. Peter, the man with the pipe, as we all knew him, will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Peter served on a local authority. Like myself, he entered local politics in 1979 and served up to the end of the dual mandate in 2004. To his wife, Sheila, and family, I extend my sincere sympathy and that of my Fine Gael colleagues in the House.

I also extend my condolences to the Fianna Fáil Members on the Government side of the House who, in a short period of time, have lost two colleagues who were wonderful Members of this House and whom we respected. Peter did not speak too often in this House but when he did, he spoke with clarity, elegance and passion, especially on his main interests of agriculture and supporting small farm families.

Peter certainly was a great defender of the dignity of this House and the institutions of the State. He would be one of the first to stand up today and also express our condolences to the Chief of Staff, the Air Corps and the families of the two pilots who died so tragically in Galway yesterday. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.