Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Ann OrmondeAnn Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Kieran occupied the office next to mine and every Tuesday afternoon he would come in for a chat. He would chat about how he had walked the land during the previous week and would tell me all about his cows. We used to chat about cows regularly because I told him I loved cows. I also told him I had a lovely painting of a cow and promised to bring it in for him to see. He said to me that if I got another such painting, I should tell him about it. One of the last things I said to him before he died was "Say hello to the cows for me".

Kieran was a really good person. He was an old-style politician and he did his business in the same way my father did. Kieran was both sincere and committed. If he was asked to pursue a matter, he dedicated himself to doing so. Even if it took two or three weeks to deal with an issue, he would go back in person to the relevant family. He never wrote to people or telephoned them. Instead, he called to see them. That was the way in which he did his business.

Kieran was extremely loyal. Loyalty is a great thing and we need to restore it. Kieran should be remembered as a person who really understood the value of loyalty in politics. His understanding of loyalty was reflected in the way in which he operated. All of the tributes that have been paid are a testament to that for which Kieran stood and how we remember him. He was a smashing man, very sincere and was great in one-to-one situations. Many of the staff of the Houses were absolutely shocked when they heard about his sudden death.

Kieran will be remembered for many reasons. I miss him terribly, particularly as we were located in adjoining offices. I miss chatting to him each Tuesday. I wish to say to his mother, his wife, Mary, his children, his extended family and his family in Fianna Fáil that his loss was shocking and we all miss him terribly.

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