David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Leas-Chathaoirleach's amendment. I first knew Feargal as a businessman out in Sutton. I used to see him there and meet him regularly. The thing about him was he would roll up his sleeves and get stuck in. He was a real democrat. He never asked anyone to do anything that he would not do himself. That was a testament to the man. I remember his great war cry, which I think was also the title of one of his books: the customer is king. That was Feargal Quinn all over.

I sat beside him in the House for many years. He was always gentlemanly. Even if one was disagreeing with him, he never lost his cool. He was always an immensely courteous man.

He was deeply religious. That is something people have not referred to yet. He was deeply religious in a very genuine sort of way. He was, I believe, Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Columbanus, and he was very proud of the papal knighthood that was conferred upon him. He used to wear the rosette in the House with great pride and distinction. I was a guest in the Cosmos Club in Washington some years ago and I was presented with the rosette of the club. It was a very distinguished place. Practically all its members were Nobel prize winners in science of some kind, so I was something of a lame duck there. Just for fun, I wore the rosette. Feargal's eyes nearly unscrewed themselves from his face when he saw it, and he could not resist asking me what this was? I told him it was a papal knighthood but His Holiness told me I had to be very discreet about it. The look on Feargal's face was absolutely priceless.

He was meticulous in his contributions. I will always remember, because I sat beside him for many years, that he always had his notes typed out and double-spaced. They presented him with the groundwork for his argument. He introduced an enormous number of Bills as a private Member, I think more than any other Member of this House. That was a very significant contribution. He was a vigorous defender of the Seanad when it was threatened with extinction, and we should be grateful to him for this. I remember him with great affection. May he rest in peace.