Former taoiseach a man of 'talent' and 'vision'

Fianna Fáil: Senior Fianna Fáil figures paid tribute to Mr Haughey's talent, vision and ministerial record yesterday.

Fianna Fáil: Senior Fianna Fáil figures paid tribute to Mr Haughey's talent, vision and ministerial record yesterday.

The chairman of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party, Séamus Kirk, said his death marked the end of an era.

"Mr Haughey was a man of vision, champion of the elderly and served with distinction in every ministerial post he held.

"As a committed European he ran a very successful presidency of the EU at a crucial time in the history of the Continent. Mr Haughey also laid the foundations for the peace process."

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He said he had had a vision of a modern Ireland and had established the Financial Services Centre and Temple Bar, had been responsible for the restoration of the Shannon-Erne Waterway as well, and for the development of a network of regional airports.

"History will weigh up the credit and the debit side of Mr Haughey's career, but I have no doubt that the ultimate judgment will be a positive one.

"On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party I want to offer our deepest sympathy to his wife Maureen, his daughter Éimear, and his sons, Conor, Ciarán and Seán, on what is a very sad occasion."

Former minister for finance Ray MacSharry, who was a close associate for many years, said Mr Haughey had been a great family man.

"He wanted the best for all his family and for the people of Ireland, all Ireland. He was an outstanding constituency representative, a caring and reforming minister in many government departments.

"As taoiseach in difficult times he presided over the laying of the foundation stones both North and South that has delivered unprecedented peace and prosperity for all our people."