Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I express my sympathy to the family of Senator Kieran Phelan. I was a young man when I entered the Seanad in 2007. The Oireachtas can be intimidating place and Kieran's friendly face and banter were very welcome. He and I shared a passion for GAA. He often asked how Waterford hurling was going and would speak about hurling in Laois. Kieran was an honest and decent colleague whom we all loved.

One meets people at different crossroads in one's life when one is faced with challenges. Kieran was one of the guys who welcomed me to the House and it did not matter to him that I was a member of the Opposition. That is a sign of an even bigger man. I wish to be associated with the sympathies expressed to his family. I will have good memories of Kieran.