Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Terry's family to the Gallery and thank them for being here. He would be very proud of the fact we are celebrating his life today. Senator McGahon gave a very eloquent and touching tribute for which I thank him most sincerely.

Terry Brennan was a friend and a colleague, but above all he was a person you were proud to say you served with. For many of us in the period of 2011 to 2016 there were difficult decisions made, but the Scobe stood tall and held the line with all of us. In particular, when I came out as a gay man, he was one of the first to ring me on that Monday morning. When I came into Leinster House on Tuesday, I will never forget his absolutely wonderful handshake - those of us who knew the Scobe know he had a handshake like a vice grip - and how he said, “Wherever you go, I will have your back.”I always remember him for that.

In his contribution, Senator Craughwell made a comment about the 2016 Seanad election. Terry and I were on the same panel that time and we both wished we were never on it. I had lost my Dáil seat and Terry was recontesting. Unfortunately, he did not win. We both regretted the fact that we were on that panel together.

Terry was a person who epitomised what old politics was, but also what new politics is about. He loved his family and his place. When he discovered that my father went school in Omeath, given the connection with Omeath and Carlingford, it was as if he had won the lotto. As was said, there was the whole thing about 1957 and Louth beating Cork. I thought I would never forget that, because every day I met Terry, he kept saying, “Do not forget 1957 – Dermot O’Brien”.

As Senator Burke talked about golf, he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of golf. He loved his trip to Augusta. To all of us, when we think of the Masters, despite the golf, we think of the Scobe as well.

Senator McGahon very eloquently paid tribute to him. It is was his years of service, his commitment to the people, his ability and his affability to reach out to people and bring people with him in whatever he did. As everyone has eluded to, he was the most affable person, with many a great light in this institution and beyond. He was always here to work, to serve on committee, to be in the House and make his contribution.

The other important point about his life was an fáinne a bhí ar a jacket. Bhí suim mhór aige i gcúrsaí Gaeilge agus i gcúrsaí cultúir. B'fhear uasal é.