Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That was the point. I did not realise it but it certainly became apparent that he knew a bit more about me than I thought he did. He was in great form. He knew everything about everything - farming, horse racing and Limerick. My local publican happens to be Charlie Chawke, so all kinds of connections were brought in there.

It should never be underestimated that to become Cathaoirleach is a huge ambition but to become a trustee of the GAA is something that very few people get the honour to do. To be trusted to become a trustee of the largest voluntary organisation in the country by a fair mile is an amazing achievement for anyone, and to simultaneously do that and be Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, and be very involved in his family, his farm and horse racing and Limerick generally, is a huge testament to how brilliant a man he was in so many different ways.

I met him again only a few months later at a sad but joyous event in that we were celebrating the life of the late Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave. We repaired across the road and he was there and he said, "I think it is my third or fourth time in Dublin this week and they have all been funerals." He was up and down, and back up again. As Senator Conway-Walsh mentioned, he had only been at Seán Calleary's funeral the previous week before his very sad and, I suppose, sudden passing, in a way, in that, while he was of a certain age, he was not particularly unwell.

I was at the funeral. It was an amazing celebration of his life. We were in the hotel afterwards and many of the people who are here today were there that day. He was an amazing politician, an amazing person and an amazing family man. I would like to acknowledge Deputies Aylward and O'Keeffe and local Deputy Niall Collins, who have joined us in the Chamber. I will not repeat the names of everyone who has already been mentioned. Myself and former Senator and Deputy, Fiona O'Malley, soldiered together as local election candidates; she was successful the first time around and I was not. However, it is great to see Fiona here as well.

It is a wonderful occasion. He was a most loyal, affable and genuine individual and a true patriot of Ireland. I am delighted to have the privilege to be here to offer my small few words to him and to his family. We were very lucky to have him.