John Carty (Fianna Fail)

It is with sadness that I rise to pay tribute to Kieran Phelan. I was elected to the Lower House in 2002 but after a short period I became quite friendly with Kieran because we had a great interest in agriculture. During an earlier period in my life, I worked in County Laois and I was able to tell him about Spink, Raheen and other places I had visited and discuss with him the various characters I had met while there. As a result, we became quite friendly.

A group of four of five of Members, including Kieran and me, used to come together to discuss various matters. There was Deputy Johnny Brady who has just left the Gallery, Senator Ellis, myself and a couple more who were interested in agriculture, and we would have a regular debate on it. There was always something wrong with disease eradication and sending cattle to the factory, and why they should or should not be tested. He used put the onus on us, Deputy Johnny Brady and myself - of course, Senator Ellis was helping him in a big way - to get over there and get the various Ministers that we work to and under to change. Some of the changes came, some of them did not.

Senator Feeney felt she was the major attraction in that office. She was attractive, I will say that, but for us fellows Kieran Phelan was the attraction.