Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is onóir agus pribhléid domsa cúpla focal a rá anseo inniu mar gheall ar ár sean-chara Rory Kiely. Cuirim fáilte is fiche roimh chlann Rory agus a chairde go léir go dtí Seanad Éireann, áit ina rinne sé a dhícheall i gcónaí ar son na tíre, ar son an pháirtí agus ar son mhuintir Luimnigh.

It is a privilege for me to lead the tributes from this side of the House to our dear friend and former colleague the late Rory Kiely, a former Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach said, his emotion shows the affection in which he held him that the rest of us share. Rory had friends on all sides of this and the Lower House. His career in national politics extended over a long period, from 1977 to 2007, during which time he endeared himself to everyone he encountered, from Taoisigh and party leaders to officers and staff of the Oireachtas. Unfortunately, as I did not arrive in Leinster House as a Member until the year he retired, others are better qualified to recount his achievements in the Oireachtas - they are many - but my own association with him goes back a long time. I had the pleasure of voting for him in several Seanad campaigns. He was a regular and very welcome visitor to my home in Listowel where he had numerous friends and acquaintances. When it was my turn to run for the Seanad in 2007, he supported, advised and encouraged me in every way he could.

I join the Leas-Chathaoirleach in welcoming Rory's family to the Chamber - his sons, Vincent and Roderick; daughters, Aileen and Mairéad; sons and daughters in law; brother in law; nieces and nephews; and, of course, the joy of his life, his many wonderful grandchildren. His death last year, although not unexpected, was a huge loss to all of them and I know that they are feeling that loss today. He was a great family man and it is a great pity that he did not get to spend more time in retirement with his beloved wife, Eileen, whom we also remember.

It is great to see so many of Rory's old colleagues in the Visitors Gallery, each of whom has his or her own story to tell about him. No doubt, they will re-tell some of them today whenever they get together.

Rory was great company. He was convivial, entertaining and mischievous. He had a keen political intellect and was a great man at sizing up a situation, spotting a move or getting to the very heart of a matter. A simple man in many ways, he had no time for posers or high-flyers. His greatest traits were his loyalty and straightforwardness. You always knew exactly where he stood and if you were moving in the wrong way, you were told quickly and smartly. He straightened me out on more than one occasion.

Rory was a true patriot and gave everything he had to the cause, whether it was his beloved GAA, in which he received the highest honours at national, county and club level; his native parish of Feenagh which was the centre of his universe; or Fianna Fáil, his other great love. Former Senator John Cregan is in the Visitors Gallery. I will not mention names, other than to say John chairs the Limerick County Board, a position Rory held with honour. John will know of all of Rory's achievements at Munster Council and Central Council level and so on. Rory was known and respected greatly by everyone, high and low, in the Fianna Fáil Party, from the cumann member to the county councillor - they were very special to him - to the party leaders with whom he served, each and every one up to its current leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, whom I welcome to the Chamber.