Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I extend my sympathy to Kieran's family, to Mary and to his mother, Delia. I really enjoyed Kieran's company. As everybody has said, he had the most wonderful smile and a brilliant laugh. My biggest memory of him is when I was newly elected to this House and we were both asked to address the LAMA conference in Portlaoise. He was very encouraging and supportive of me and I will never forget him for that because it was quite daunting for me at the time.

Also when he was in the Chair, he was very courteous and fair-minded and it goes a long way when one is in politics to be fair-minded and I have regard for him for that.

I will never forget the day he passed away. It was a tremendous shock for all of us in the Seanad. I realise how dreadfully upset the Fianna Fáil Party and his friends must still be at his loss because I miss him and I cannot imagine what it must be like for them to miss him.

I also add that he was a tremendously successful politician. He topped the poll in the 1999 elections. He was elected twice to the Seanad and that is no mean feat. He always had the sincerity and decency to represent the people of Laois and that is no mean feat in this day and age.