Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I only got to know Kieran well a few weeks before he died when we chatted over lunch here in the House. I realised then that I had lost an opportunity to get to know him in previous years. I knew he was a humorous, sincere and committed Senator but it was only when we started to converse and share things that I realised I wanted to get to know him much better. Over lunch, we started a little competition. We both had five children and my 12th grandchild had just arrived. There are now 13 grandchildren in my family and we hope the 14th will arrive before Christmas. On that occasion, Kieran agreed to have a competition on the number of grandchildren we would have. That competition is now for Kieran's five children.

I learned how sincere Kieran was and recognised his sense of humour and commitment, not only to politics but also to his family. He really was a family man and it became clear to me that entering politics must have intruded greatly on his family life. Despite this, he was able to fit in both politics and his love of and commitment to his family, including his wife, Mary and his mother. Senator Feeney referred to how much Kieran loved his mother.

Senator Norris referred to Kieran's removal from St. Vincent's Hospital. I remember the occasion very well. I met his family and saw that they had experienced a sudden loss. Only one or two days previously, Senators were stunned and shaken when they entered the Chamber to learn what had occurred. We could not believe Kieran's seat would be empty because he was young and had achieved so much. He had so much ahead of him.

Kieran had a strong interest in agriculture and farming. He told me his family had become involved in the duck egg business. A few days later, I was in the J.C. Savage supermarket in Swords when I saw a couple arriving with duck eggs. I approached them and asked whether they were part of the Phelan family and of course they were. Kieran was proud of his family and of being a Member of the House. His sincerity and sense of humour jumped out at once whenever he spoke.

There is a lovely story by O. Henry about people receiving an invitation to a funeral. On visiting the house of a friend they had not seen for many years, they discovered that she was at the door to meet them. When they said they thought they were coming to her funeral the old friend said she had decided to have her funeral before she died because she did not want to miss such an occasion. I recall that story today because Kieran would have loved to have been here. He would have been embarrassed to hear how much love and affection there was for him and how proud we all were of his commitment to the House, County Laois and all he did over the years. Senators will miss him, although not nearly as much as his family will miss him. He is in our thoughts and their thoughts and I am sure he is looking down saying how proud he would have been to be here.