Seanad debates

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy

 

3:00 am

Photo of Donie CassidyDonie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

With a deep sense of sadness I rise to pay tribute on the passing of a friend and colleague, former Senator Peter Callanan. Peter was someone for whom I had great respect and admiration. He was a highly intelligent and articulate Member of Seanad Éireann and was a truly excellent public representative. He was a hardworking and capable individual who was interested in getting on with things and having things done. Born in Castlefreke, west of Clonakilty, he lived and farmed all his married life in Ballymountain, Innishannon. He married Sheila Harrington and the couple had four sons, Gerard, Liam, David and Denis and two daughters, Deirdre and Fionnuala. From his first election to Cork County Council in 1979 Peter served the people of Cork with tremendous dedication, perseverance and commitment. He was re-elected at every local election until 2004 when he had to step down under the dual mandate rule which prevents Members of the Oireachtas serving on local authorities. He was well regarded throughout his local community for his hard work, enthusiasm and warm personality. The pipe and his smile were his trademarks, with the pioneer pin he proudly wore all his life. He will be remembered for his unwavering courtesy and old-fashioned good manners which he displayed to those who met him. He treated everyone with equal respect and consideration. It was his courtesy and respectful manner that endeared him to all who knew him.

Peter was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1997 on the Agricultural Panel and subsequently re-elected in 2002. However, his greatest electoral performance in was the 2007 Seanad election, following the reduction in the number of seats on the Fianna Fáil side in the previous local elections.

As a Member of Seanad Éireann on three occasions, Peter was a strong champion of farmers' rights and used his membership of the joint committees to raise matters of concern, particularly relating to agriculture, food and fisheries. He was an excellent orator and commanded attention whenever he spoke. He was often involved in heated discussions on matters close to his heart, both in the Seanad Chamber and at parliamentary party meetings. He was an extremely shrewd and astute politician who worked resolutely on behalf of the people he served. His contribution, both in public and behind the scenes, helped to raise awareness of many agricultural issues. His only aim was to make life better for the members of his community, particularly in Cork and rural Ireland in general. He was not afraid to be controversial or take an unpopular stand if he believed it to be the right thing to do. Once he got his teeth into an issue, he was not a man to let go until he had taken it to the highest possible level.

Peter was very honourable and a loyal public servant who served at local and national level for more than 30 years. He was immensely popular. I know his loss will be widely felt among his friends and colleagues. We on his side of the House knew him to be a great servant of Fianna Fáil, the party of which he was so proud. He was a staunch defender and a great upholder of the traditional values of Fianna Fáil and will be sorely missed.

On a personal note, I was privileged to have served as Leader of Seanad Éireann during Peter's tenure as a Senator. I owe him a great deal of gratitude for the loyalty he showed and service he provided me as Leader of the House. As an old friend said to me: "People who are near and dear never die."

I extend my deepest sympathy, as Leader of Seanad Éireann and leader of Fianna Fáil Party in this House, to his wife, Sheila; his four sons, Gerald, Liam, David and Denis; his two daughters, Deirdre and Fionnuala, and extended family and friends who have come here in large numbers all the way from Cork, France and other places. They are with us today to pay tribute to this great Irish man, a great parliamentarian, father and husband. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.

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