Like everyone else, I wish to pay my respects to the late Peter Mathews. I first got to know Peter before he became a politician. He was, to a certain extent, some would say, ploughing a lonely furrow back in 2008 and 2009 when he was saying the banks were in serious trouble. History has shown he was correct. Peter was a combination of a real gentleman, a decent man and a persistent man who very much stuck to his convictions. I believe Peter has left his mark.

I pass on my sympathies to his wife, Susan, who happens to be a Limerick woman from Corbally. They were a particularly nice couple and great company. The greatest loss will be to his family. I met Peter recently when he was around the House. He was his ebullient and effervescent self. There was a sense of sadness with him – I could see that – but he was very much getting on with life. He still had the same convictions around the issues and the same determination. I want to acknowledge this publicly. I regard him as a friend and a colleague. More specifically, this is a sad occasion for his wife, Susan, and their family, and I pass on my sympathies.