Kieran Phelan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Noreen and the family and thank them for giving us an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Senator Tony Kett. I also welcome Deputy Cyprian Brady, former Senator Chris Wall and Tony's colleagues to the House.

I enjoyed Tony Kett's company very much. My office was on the third floor also. Senator Feeney and I were in the office next door. I used to call in to both Tony and Senator Ormonde on a regular basis and it was an education at times to hear Seanad elections, votes and so on being discussed. Tony was great craic when it came to elections.

I happened to be in the office one day and he told me that I seemed to have many connections in north Tipperary. I told him I had, and he asked me who they were. I told him my mother is from Gortnahoe. He said that was strange, and he asked her name. I told him it was Delia Fennelly, and he said that was twice as strange. He told me he had a brother in law, Paddy Ryan, from Gortnahoe and that Paddy's sister was married to my uncle, Martin Fennelly, my mother's brother. That was the first time I heard that. I had been a Member a number of years but I never knew that until that day. We remained great friends. I sat beside him here. I was bell 4 and he was bell 5 when it came to a vote. It was great when a vote was called because Tony would always have a good yarn to tell.

I did not know Tony until I arrived in this House in 2002. I express my sympathy to Noreen and Tony's family. I am delighted to join with others in the lovely tributes paid to Tony. May he rest in peace. I have no doubt Tony is in Heaven.