Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

On Friday of this week, 19 November, he would have celebrated his birthday. I will celebrate my birthday the following day. He used to say there were just 20 years between us.

As others have said, he was Fianna Fáil's spokesman on defence in this House. He was good at it. There is a joke to the effect that the Minister for Defence has to be good at sitting on the fence. Kieran Phelan was no good at sitting on the fence. As Senator O'Toole said, he told it as it was. One could take it or leave it. He could not tolerate injustice of any kind. He would make it very clear if he felt one was partaking in such activity.

Kieran passed away on 26 May last. I was honoured to know him in life. Like Deputy Calleary, who is in the Gallery, I was privileged to have been with him when he passed away. All I can say to his family - I have said it to them previously - is that Kieran died as he lived, with dignity and calmness. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Before I finish, I want to acknowledge especially the presence of Noah Patrick Phelan, who was born after Kieran died.