John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am glad to have the opportunity to reminisce about Peter. He had a tremendous impact on my formative years in this House. I became a Member eight years ago. Like Peter, I was elected on the Agricultural Panel and came from a very strong farming background. He represented a generation of Irish people who are becoming scarce. Two years ago my father who would have been approximately the same age as Peter passed away. Peter was a particular source of comfort to me afterwards and we had many discussions about it.

On several occasions he tried his best to get me off the cigarettes. A few moments ago I had to leave to meet a group outside and I found myself in the car park, which is where I often met Peter. Most Senators would meet him in the ante-room outside here or in the car park, where he would be smoking his pipe and he would have a word of wisdom. He used to look at me over the glasses and say, "Come here, young man, I want to have a chat with you about something." We exchanged many words in this House. He had a strong interest in tillage and, in particular, sugar beet production. When I was newly elected, the sugar factory in Carlow closed and Peter toed the Government line. I know that believed in many of the sentiments I expressed in that argument.

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter during the last Seanad election campaign. From time to time we all meet on the road while travelling the country. I met Peter in Hayes Hotel on the square in Thurles, a famous place. We had dinner together in the middle of the day.