John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. On my behalf, but more particularly on behalf of my dad, Maurice Cummins, who served with Terry from 2011 to 2016 and was a great friend of Terry’s over many years, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the Brennan family on such a sad loss.We should not be on our phones, I know, but I was texting my dad during the tributes and pretty much everything everybody has said my dad was echoing in messages back to me. Terry was a Member who was loved on all sides of the House, regardless of political affiliation. That is the greatest testament to the character of anyone in a House like this House. We all have to get on with our party colleagues, of course, but to have been able to be friends with colleagues from all sides of the House is a testament to Terry's character. I recall him canvassing me in 2011, even though my dad was on the panel. Of course, that was Terry looking ahead. He was looking for No. 2s on the panel after Maurice. Genuinely, any time I met Terry, any time I visited Leinster House as a young fella, he always had a nice and kind word to say.

Thank you for this opportunity, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. It is really nice and fitting that we have the opportunity to pause to reflect on and to acknowledge the great servant that was Terry Brennan.