Seanad debates

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy

 

3:00 am

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Labour)

I join with others who have spoken in remembering Senator Peter Callanan, a most valued colleague in this House. I remember him with great affection, as a party leader and as an ordinary Member coming in here for the first time three years ago. He was most welcoming, most interested in our backgrounds and solicitous for our welfare. He had a great sense of humour and was an interesting man to have chat with about the vagaries of what goes on in the corridors of power. I enjoyed his company on the few occasions when I had an opportunity to chat with him.

Others have pointed out that he gave considerable service to the people of his locality and the people of County Cork from 1979, when he went into local politics. I am sure he will be remembered for many years because of that. His loss has been felt most by his family, and it is very moving to see so many of them here today for these tributes. I assure them Peter is remembered here with great affection, but also as somebody who contributed hugely to the work of this House, and whose loss is very strongly felt.

I was not aware that he hailed originally from Castlefreke in County Cork. I do not have any connections with that area, but I know it having been there a few times in recent years. It is a most beautiful part of the country and I am sure that he treasured his connections with that place.

I join with other colleagues in expressing my sadness and the sympathies of the Labour Party to his family on his untimely death last year, and to the leader of the House and to Members of the Fianna Fáil Party on their loss.

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