Seanad debates

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy

 

10:30 am

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Labour)

I also express my sympathy and that of my colleagues in the Labour Party to the family of the late Senator Kieran Phelan on his untimely and shocking passing. This is a very sad day for all of us. I also extend my sympathy to the Leader of the House, the Fianna Fáil Party and Fianna Fáil colleagues on the opposite side who must be feeling a great sense of loss on the passing of such a dear colleague.

As others mentioned, it could be fairly said it was impossible not to like Kieran Phelan. He was a great and wonderful colleague. I also attended the meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges yesterday, to which my colleagues referred. When some of us were more inclined to indulge in the complexities of the issues referred to by Senator O'Toole, Kieran Phelan was able to cut through the complexities and actually reach the bottom line with a fantastic sense of humour and common sense. He had a very ready smile. I recently heard somebody say in a different context — I believe it was Cathal O'Shannon — that it was important in life, whether in politics or elsewhere, to take one's work seriously but not to take oneself too seriously. That is a philosophy to which Kieran Phelan adhered. His loss is a terrible shock to all of us. Once again, I express my sympathy to his wife, Mary, and family on this very sad day.

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