Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very hard to follow some of the great contributions. We all knew Terry Brennan as a friend. He had no enemies and that can be seen from all the contributions made here today. Terry Brennan had no enemies at all; he had all friends.

There were three things Terry tended to speak about in the House. One was that he must have scored ten or 15 points in every match he played for Cooley. The second was how he played at centre court in Wimbledon and third was his great love of going to Augusta. He used to grig us all when he came back and even grig us while he was there. He would send us text messages to say he was on the 13th hole or the famous par three hole on Augusta National. I know Bobby is looking in.

Aileen is here with her family. We missed a great friend when Terry died. I met Terry in the mid-1980s. I canvassed him on numerous occasions when running for the Seanad and then he went on the Seanad campaign himself. I met him once when he was in hospital. He did not tell many people where he was but he texted or rang me to tell me. I forget whether it was Navan or Drogheda but I went to see him. He was always very courteous.

He loved Cooley, Carlingford and County Louth and he loved his family. He had a great affection for his ally and, I suppose, competitor, Councillor Peter Savage, and it is great to see him here today. Peter must be a real god in that part of the world because Terry would always say "Peter Savage said" and that went a long way not only with Terry but also to whoever he was telling.

I happened to be the leader of the delegation to Japan that Senator O'Sullivan mentioned. I did not realise at the time that Terry had a great fondness for sushi. I do not know whether he got it in Carlingford. We met the former Prime Minister who has now gone to his eternal reward, Shinzo Abe. Terry made a few great contributions at the meeting about how fast the trains, which we had been on, went and how they were not only on time to the minute but to the second. It was a great experience and a trip I will always remember. Terry was a big part of the trip, he made us all very welcome and he was great in his support for us.

It is great to see Deputy Carey here and former Deputy Brian Walsh, who were great friends of Terry Brennan. They have shown their appreciation by being here today. It goes to show the friends Terry had. We all appreciated him and we wish the family well. We are delighted to see them in the Chamber today.