Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Kieran Phelan was a larger than life figure in this House. Everyone loved Kieran and he loved everyone, or most of us anyway. Like myself, he was so proud to be elected to this House in 2002. He was so proud to be here among friends and colleagues. As my colleague, Senator Coffey, said, he made the people who were elected in 2007 so welcome.

Kieran was a decent and honourable man. He was not one to jump up on the Order of Business every day talking about this, that and the other. He was a man of few words but his contributions were always so sincere and to the point, except for the odd time he might have a script and have a go at the Opposition after which he sat down and winked over at me. That was Kieran Phelan. He had wonderful humour.

Unlike Senator Feeney, I never enjoyed a cup of coffee with Kieran but I certainly enjoyed many a pint with him and Senator Wilson over the years. One could not but enjoy his company. He was a wonderful colleague. I do not believe politics ever came into it. We were all excellent friends and none more so than Kieran Phelan.

It was a privilege to know Kieran and to meet his family at the funeral. To his mother Delia, wife Mary, children and his extended family, I offer my sincere sympathy and that of our party.