I am sure all the committee members have heard the sad news of the sudden death of Senator Peter Callanan, whose funeral takes place today. Peter was a former member of the committee on agriculture. As a member, his knowledge on agriculture issues was always valued at committee meetings. On my own behalf and on behalf of the committee, I extend my sincere sympathy to his wife Sheila and family on their sad loss.
Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy.
On behalf of this side of the House, I would like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to Sheila Callanan and her family on the sudden death of Senator Peter Callanan. I count myself fortunate to have known Peter Callanan over many years. I first met him on election to Cork County Council in 1985 and served with him on Cork County Council up to 1997 when Peter was elevated to membership of the Seanad where he served with distinction up to his death this week.
As I stated previously, Senator Peter Callanan was Fianna Fáil to his backbone. He was a thorough gentleman. He had a passionate interest in rural Ireland, and in agriculture, in particular, and was very knowledgeable on that matter. A testament to his popularity were the huge crowds in attendance at the rosary recited for him on Monday night. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend any more of the services due to Dáil commitments.
He will be a huge loss to his party and to the community that he served fearlessly. He passionately believed in public representation. In that sense, he was not afraid to take an unpopular stand if he believed he was correct, and he often did so. As a public representative, he was a role model. I would like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to his wife and family.
On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group here, I would like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to the family of the late Senator Peter Callanan. I knew him personally, particularly in recent years. I knew him on the Seanad trail when he came looking for votes at the county council to get on the agriculture panel.
He had a long and distinguished career in politics, as has been stated already, joining local government in west Cork in 1979 where he served for almost 20 years until he became a full-time Senator in 1997. This was his third term as a Senator.
He was witty and quick of phrase, and he would always have something to say. He was a quiet man in his own way, but very quick to give a reminder of where you stood, for example, if you said the wrong thing. I would like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to his wife Sheila and his family. May he rest in peace.
Deputy P. J. Sheehan was a constituency colleague of the late Senator Callanan.
It was with deep regret I learned of the death of my good friend and colleague, Senator Callanan. I have known Peter since he entered the county council. Having been in the council myself from 1967 until 2007 — that is 40 years' service — I knew him well. He was the finest type of gentleman one could meet. He was fearless when it came to defending the agricultural community and he was a Trojan worker for agriculture in this country. Nobody knew him better than the former Minister for Agriculture and Food, Joe Walsh, who was also a county councillor. He was always quick to put forward the agricultural point of view for the benefit of his friends throughout Ireland. Peter was widely known the length and breadth of the country, and his election and re-election to the Seanad were indicators of what people thought of him. From Donegal to Cork he was known by everybody in agricultural circles.
I had the privilege of meeting Senator Callanan last Wednesday at lunchtime in the Dáil. He was full of life and said he looked forward to fighting another day when the next challenge came. As a politician he excelled, standing out among public representatives. He held no malice for other politicians but judged them on merit. That was evident from the large crowd at the rosary that was said for him on Monday night. Unfortunately I was not able to attend his removal or funeral. I send my sincere sympathy to his wife and family and hope that the sod of his native west Cork will lie lightly on his brow tonight.
I wish to be associated with the other members in extending a vote of sympathy to Senator Peter Callanan's wife Sheila and her family on his death. As has rightly been mentioned here, he was a thorough gentleman. I have known him for quite a number of years and I never heard him say a bad word about anybody. He was always pleasant company and very inoffensive. As has been mentioned by Deputies Creed and Sheehan, the large crowd that was present at his removal yesterday was a testament to that fact. I send my sincere sympathy to his wife and family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
I express my sympathy on the death of Senator Callanan. I knew Peter well for a long time as a farmer and in politics. He was a good worker for his constituents and always held the town of Bandon. Whether one was rich or poor he was at one's beck and call, and his vote in the local council elections always proved that. Like Deputy Sheehan, I hope the green sod of his native Bandon lies lightly on him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
I also wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy. I knew Peter well as he served here with us as a member of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He worked hard as a Senator, councillor and public representative. On the committee I always found him knowledgeable on agricultural matters. I often had a cup of tea with Peter and he would sit beside me at the party meeting. I found him to be wise and to have great knowledge. He would always tell one what he thought and how he was thinking. I miss him as a friend.
I would like to record my sympathy on the death of Senator Callanan. Over ten years I found him to be a true friend and father figure, wise and full of sound advice. I understand he was of great service to his constituents in that part of Cork. Thankfully, I was able to make it to his household on Monday night. He loved the land and all things to do with agriculture. He was very knowledgeable in that area and will be missed on this committee. I extend my sympathies.
I extend my deepest sympathy, on behalf of myself and the Sinn Féin party, to the family of Senator Callanan, a man I got to know well on the committee and when I first came into the House. The speeches he made here always propagated the Republican message, even in difficult times. I considered him a friend as well as a colleague. He will be sadly missed by everybody here.
I wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy to Senator Callanan's wife, Sheila, and his family. I contested a Seanad election on the same panel as the Senator and we got on extremely well, but the differences between Cork and Sligo added to that. I extend my sympathies.
I join in the tributes to the late Senator Callanan, whom I have known for almost 25 years through his membership of the county council and the Oireachtas. The role I most vividly recall Peter playing, which he enjoyed to the full, was his chairmanship of the County Cork committee of agriculture. Farming and all things agricultural were very much to the fore with Senator Callanan. They were his deepest interests. He played a constructive role in this committee and his whole career in politics was conducted with a light touch. He was determined but never took himself too seriously, which was admirable. I extend my sympathy to his wife and family.
We would all like to be associated with the vote of sympathy.
I thank members. Unfortunately we must suspend the meeting as a vote has been called.
I propose we suspend the meeting for five minutes in memory of Senator Callanan.
That is agreed.
Sitting suspended at noon and resumed at 12.20 p.m.