Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I wish to be associated with the many tributes being paid to Peter Callanan. Peter was elected in 1997 and, for his first several months in the Seanad, shared an office with me and the late Tony Kett. This experience consolidated my friendship with Peter. Whenever I had a problem, I would go to Peter because he had a way of assessing situations and judging characters. As I found out on numerous occasions, he was never wrong.

Peter loved his family. I used to get a weekly commentary about one or other member of his family and whatever the issue, I would hear about it. I got to know Sheila and the rest of the family very well.

I greatly admired Peter's community spirit. He loved his area and being involved in local issues. He was able to raise these issues on a national stage because of his intimate knowledge of agriculture and the land. He did not need to read the books because he was able to assess the situation from the ground. He took a practical approach to what I felt were real politics. This ability was demonstrated by the votes he won as a county councillor. He would never have lost that seat if he had been allowed to keep a dual mandate.

He was very popular in his own area. That says it all about politics. His was the kind of old school Fianna Fáil politics that I love and miss. He will always be in my heart and he loved being in this House. Even when he was ill, he would nonetheless make the journey to Leinster House. We do not often find the likes of Peter anymore. I miss him terribly and will always remember him as a good politician and a loyal friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.