Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I would like to be associated with all the warm and genuine tributes paid to Kieran. He was everything that has been said of him. He was always good humoured, a very fine, decent fellow and a fine, loyal colleague, as has been said. He was totally dependable and trustworthy. The previous speakers have all attested to that. He was definitely very warm and generous and we all had such lovely times with him and with many other colleagues here.

Somebody referred to the slings and arrows of political life, but it is truly difficult to imagine Kieran suffering the slings and arrows of political life because he was genuinely so disarming and affable.

I will mention another Phelan who cannot be present but would like to be associated with these warm and genuine tributes, namely, our colleague, Senator John Paul Phelan, who is on parliamentary business elsewhere. I wish to be associated with the fine contributions that have been made.