Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words about the late Peter Callanan, whom I knew for approximately 25 years of our shared political lives. I listened with interest to all the very genuine tributes that have been paid from all sides of the House. I thank the Chathaoirleach for giving me time for more than a few sentences, but If I had to sum up the character of Peter Callanan in one sentence, I would say his soul, be it mortal or political, was never for sale. He was a man of deep principle which, sadly, is very rare in political life. He often spoke to me about the difficulties he had in his own political party during the course of one Administration, the pressure under which he came and the attempts made to get him to change his mind from time to time. However, he always held firm because he was of such firm conviction and sincerity that he could not be purchased. I remember him very much for this.

We had numerous conversations during our time on Cork County Council, in particular its committee on agriculture and then during our times here together in Leinster House. Many speakers mentioned that he did not drink, yet for a man who did not drink he spent an extraordinary amount of time in the Dáil bar. When we had finished there, we would adjourn to the alternative Dáil bar, the former Power's Hotel. His interest in agriculture, rural and community affairs, and political life in the broadest sense always came to the fore. One would always have very interesting and charming conversations with Peter.

While Peter very much enjoyed his role a Member of the Oireachtas and contributed very deeply to the work of this House and the various committees on which he served, above all he loved being a county councillor. He was a premier league-supreme county councillor. Unfortunately, he was never chairman of Cork County Council; he was vice chairman on a number of occasions. However, he chaired council meetings and offered profound and advanced views on local authorities and how they should develop and grow. While I have very positive memories of his life and career here in the Oireachtas, above all I remark on his skill as a councillor and someone who had a genuine vision of how the local authorities could ensure Ireland and rural areas in particular would grow.

Peter persevered through enormous problems with illness. I recall as vividly as if it happened yesterday the day in the summer of 1989 when he opened the Mallow international folk festival. Some of his family members might have been with me on that day. At that stage he was very seriously ill. I walked from the venue of the opening ceremony to the Central Hotel in Mallow with him. While it must have been a distance of no more than 200 yards, it took us approximately an hour because the man was in extremely serious pain and suffering from grave illness. That night I thought I would never see him again. It is an extraordinary testimony to his courage, hope, belief and religious faith that not only did we see him again, but he also battled back and had the ultimate political achievement of winning a seat in this House. That is something from which we can all learn. No matter how high the fence or how long the odds, if a person believes and genuinely hopes, things can improve. Many inside and outside this House took great consolation from hearing stories about Peter overcoming his illness.

I have nothing but the happiest memories of Peter. May he rest in peace.