Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I offer my deepest sympathies to Kieran's wife, mother and other family members. Like Senator Coffey, I shared with Kieran a great affection for GAA. He was a great GAA man but, more important, a great friend. On many a day when I was annoying the Cathaoirleach, Kieran waved across at me to indicate I should stop shouting because he feared I would be thrown out of the House. I wish I was able to thank him in person today.

Kieran was an affable man who had character, an attribute about which Senator Harris spoke. He was proud of his family and where he came from. His cousin, the late Seán Phelan, was involved in my GAA club in Bishopstown and interceded on many occasions on Kieran's behalf for Seanad votes.

Kieran had a great ability to forget about politics. He would walk out the door after a session in the House and put his arm around one and discuss other business. In the week he died, Kieran, Senator MacSharry, Senator Wilson and I spent half an hour or so in the bar of the D4 hotel and he was in great form. While we often hear of people dying there are few people who we genuinely miss. When one looks across the Chamber towards Senator Wilson one expects to see Kieran's smile or a gesture and one wishes he was still here. He was that type of person, much larger than life and with much to offer.

Politics is a humbling profession but people like Kieran give us a sense of what we can achieve. While I am conscious that no words of mine or anyone else will ease the pain, I refer to the hymn, "Ag Críost an Síol":

O bhás go críoch ní críoch ach ath-fhás

I bParthas na nGrást go rabhaimíd

Kieran was a good friend and we miss him. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.