John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very difficult to follow some of the tributes paid by my colleagues in the Chamber and in the Lower House. Naturally, I too extend my deepest condolences to John's wife, Finola, his children, his brother and our colleague, Richard, especially, and his sister. The Fine Gael family has been mentioned quite a lot by my colleagues. It is true that we have lost a great of our party, but this country has also lost a great statesman, someone who had great courage and integrity, and somebody who was kind, loyal and cared deeply for his constituents and this country as a whole.

My father knew John far better than me. When I asked him about John in the past couple of days, he referred to his innate ability to listen and understand other people's points of view, particularly the views of those he did not agree with. That is a great testament, which stood him in great stead across so many areas, particularly in his dealings on Northern Ireland, the divorce referendum and many other facets of his political life.

I had the pleasure of meeting him on a number of occasions. Unlike my colleague, Senator McGahon, I was never dressed as James Bond. Certainly, when I was growing up, it was always amazing to be in the room with, and in the presence of, the leader of the party and the Taoiseach at that time. The last time I met him was at a lecture on John Redmond, who has been referenced a number of times by colleagues, in Waterford. Redmond and Parnell were people he held in great stead. He really believed in the Irish Parliamentary Party. He had a picture of John Redmond on the wall of the Taoiseach's office. He always believed in the ability of this island to achieve peace by peaceful means and without the use of the gun. As somebody who comes from and lives in Ballybricken, where John Redmond delivered many fine speeches, that is something I have always listened to very carefully . John Bruton's speech at Waterford that day was absolutely fantastic, as his speeches were on many occasions in various parts of the country.

I pay tribute to somebody who was an unbelievable statesman. He will be remembered by all of us as somebody who gave his life to politics and to service of the people of this country. He always had an amazing word of encouragement for people, such as me, who were coming through the ranks. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to pay tribute to such a great man.