Senior politicians pay tribute to former taoiseach

Senior politicians have paid tribute to former taoiseach Charles J Haughey who died this morning.

Progressive Democrats Party Leader Mary Harney TDextended her condolences to Mr Haughey's family.

"When Charles Haughey retired as Taoiseach in 1992, the government he had led had set the foundations for the historic achievements of our country since then, the peace process and our economic recovery. "In particular, the success of Ireland's International Financial Services Centre is a living tribute to his boldness and determination. His legacy also includes the vibrancy of the arts in Ireland, and the excellence of the renovated Government Buildings."

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny TDsaid "I learned of the death of Charles Haughey with much personal regret. There will be other days to reflect on Mr Haughey, the politician. But today, the day of his death, I want to pay my respects to Charles Haughey the man: father, husband, grandfather, parliamentary colleague." "I've known Charles Haughey throughout my political career and found him to be personally warm, engaging, thoughtful and courteous," he said.

"Obviously, Mr Haughey the politician will dominate news and commentary over the coming days, with public debate of numerous aspects of his political career, becoming his lot, perhaps, in perpetuity. In life, I believe Mr Haughey bore his humiliations with dignity and, no doubt, personal pain.

"Personally and on behalf of Fine Gael, I extend deep sympathy to Maureen, their children and to Mr

Haughey?s wider family and friends. On this day, especially, I'm sure there are many people in Ireland, who hope as I do, that for all of us, there will be kindness at the end," the Fine Gael leader concluded.

Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte TDsaid: "On behalf of the Labour Party I wish to extend my sympathy to the Haughey family and to the Fianna Fail Party on the death of the former Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey."

"In and out of office, Charles Haughey was a dominant figure in Irish politics for a period of almost four decades. He was at all times a hugely controversial figure who attracted great loyalty among his supporters and fierce opposition from his opponents.

"As Taoiseach and as a Government Minister, Charles Haughey had many achievements of note. He was a skilled parliamentarian and a genuinely reforming Minister for Justice and Minister for Social Welfare.

"There was probably no other Irish politician over the past 50 years who was such a controversial figure and there is a darker side to the Haughey political legacy. "However now is not the appropriate time for a full political assessment of the career of a man who has endured such a painful and debilitating illness in recent years. "I extend my sympathy to his widow, Maureen and to his children, Conor, Ciaran, Sean and Eimar," he concluded.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargentextended his sympathies the family of Mr Haughey, who he described as " a most intelligent man, a great family man, and one who 'did this state some service'."

"Mr Haughey's estate at Kinsealy was run along the strict organic principles. He also restored and preserved the many buildings on the estate at a time when some might have chosen to replace them with more modern ones," he said.

"Mr Haughey was also however very controversial but the planning scandals go beyond his tenure in officer or his influence. The Kenny Report, 1973, to remove the obscene profiteering in land rezoning has still not been implemented.

"The State could do the people some service if Mr Haughey's death was a catalyst to bring about the implementation of the Kenny Report," said Mr Sargent.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adamswould not be drawn today on Mr Haughey's career but extended his party's condolences to the former taoiseach's family. "Republicans, like everyone else on the island, will have mixed feelings on his contribution to Irish society but that is a debate for another day."

Former taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Dr Garret FitzGeraldsaid he was sorry to hear of Mr Haughey's death. He said: "We had known each other since we were students together in UCD over 60 years ago. He was a man of great administrative ability and formidable political skills.

"As I often made clear in the past, despite our public political differences, which I do not wish to dwell on at this time, our relationship was always marked by courtesy and absence of personal antagonism. I was glad to have had the opportunity to meet with him again last October when I visited him in Abbeville. He faced his long and debilitating illness with great courage. I offer my sympathies to his wife Maureen and to his four children."

Former SDLP leader John Humeexpressed his "deepest sympathies" to the Haughey family.

"Throughout his political career, particular as taoiseach, peace and justice in the north was right at the top of his agenda. He strongly supported my dialogue with Gerry Adams and he worked very closely with me in getting the Downing Street Declaration which led to the ending of violence."