Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim comhbhrón le baintreach Peter Callanan, Sheila agus a chlann as ucht a bháis. Bhí mé an-chairdiúil leis le fada an lá. I express my sincere sympathy to the Callanan family: Peter's wife, Sheila; his brothers John and Patrick; his sons Gerard, Liam, David and Denis; his daughters Deirdre and Fionnuala; and his extended family. I had many things in common with Peter as we both entered public life in 1979 when he was elected to Cork County Council and I was elected to Westmeath County Council and Mullingar Town Council, and we were both elected to the Seanad in 1997.

Peter had many unique qualities and one that stands out was something to which Senator Wilson referred. When you entered his office the television would be turned up high and Peter would be on the nebuliser. After a few minutes he would take it off, stand up and say he had to go for medicine, which meant he was going out to smoke his pipe. He was a phenomenal vote getter. In 1999 he received well in excess of 3,400 votes, which was a huge mandate for anyone to receive.

Peter Callanan had many strong aspects to his character including, as has been referred to, his dedication to his wife and family. There is no question but that they were always on the tip of his tongue. He also had a great love of farming and Senator Quinn referred to the earwigging he received from Peter after making a certain comment. Peter was very defensive about the farming community but at the same time he was positive about its shortcomings because he was a very fair man.

When Peter said, "come here, I want you" in his best west Cork accent and with an impish smile you could be sure he had a scéal to tell. He would tell it and then ask you what you thought. If you responded, he would tell you that was not quite how he took it, so you never knew what he was thinking in such circumstances.

Peter was a Whip's dream. Every morning, when the bell rang to call the House together, the usual arrivals were Peter Callanan, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, our recently departed friend, Kieran Phelan and Senator Larry Butler. Peter and Kieran would sit side by side and joke and I hope they are joking today and thinking of us all down here. Peter was a phenomenal orator and had a great command of the English language. He had great delivery and there was great content in what he had to say.

I knew much about Peter's health because on many occasions he came to me about it, not that I was a doctor but from my previous occupation he thought I knew a little. Quite often, when he contacted me by phone he told me that he did not think he would make the game today or next week, which meant he was in hospital. Nevertheless, he carried his illness with great dignity and fortitude. At the end, he would phone to say he did not think he could make it for the Order of Business but that he was here if he was really needed.

Much has been said about Peter and to say it now would be to repeat it. This House is all the poorer for his passing, as is public life. The big losers are public life, all of us in the House and his wife and family whom he loved dearly. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.