Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Mary McAleese have paid tribute to former minister for finance and Fianna Fáil TD Brian Lenihan, who died today aged 52.
Mr Kenny said he was deeply saddened to learn of Mr Lenihan's death. “I might say that Brian Lenihan was exemplary in the carrying out of his public duties. He continued a long line of representation to Irish public life, both by his father and grandfather and the Lenihan family in general,” he said.
“He exemplified wonderful courage of an enormous extent in speaking publicly about the illness that he carried so courageously, about the difficulties that he was encountering personally in dealing with that illness, which was cancer, and in carrying out his public duties in the most challenging economic circumstances for any minister for finance.”
Mrs McAleese said the "untimely death of such a young and talented public servant" was distressing for all his family, friends and colleagues.
“I first knew Brian when he was a student at Trinity College Dublin. He was a brilliant scholar whose early promise as a student was fully vindicated in his subsequent career as a barrister and public representative.”
The President said his passing was a loss to public service in Ireland and that she hoped his family would “be able to draw some comfort from the knowledge that Brian lived a life of outstanding personal integrity and dedicated public service”.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said Mr Lenihan had fought “a brave and courageous battle” with cancer over the past 18 months and that he had never once flinched from his public duties.
“He showed an unceasing and untiring commitment to tackling the economic crisis facing this country,” Mr Martin said. “Even when receiving debilitating treatment, Brian continued to work assiduously in the best interests of this country. For Brian Lenihan, that was always paramount.
"He was tested - and tested hard - but he played a stellar role in meeting the fiscal crisis head-on. When Ireland was in the eye of the storm, Brian Lenihan never faltered."
Mr Martin described Mr Lenihan as an “outstanding" public representative of his generation. “As a ministerial colleague, I observed him at close quarters. He had my complete admiration. He was, quite simply, brilliant and often in a league of his own,” Mr Martin said. "His unyielding determination to do his duty - in spite of a serious illness - was remarkable and inspirational. It was truly a profile in courage."
Former taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen extended his sympathies to the Lenihan family following the death of "a good colleague and friend of mine for many years".
"At the Cabinet table, I saw at first-hand how hard he worked and how committed he was to doing his utmost for Ireland," Mr Cowen said. "He will be remembered fondly, with great affection and with respect by all who knew him. His passing is a great loss to our country and also, of course, to the Fianna Fáil Party."
Mr Lenihan’s aunt, Mary O’Rourke, said news of his death was “kind of unbelievable”.
“We figured he was on the last lap but that he would get some months on that last lap but it wasn’t to be and it was lovely that he died with [his family] at home,” she told RTÉ radio. “He always worked for the country and for the best for Ireland and I supposed until the end he did what anybody in public life would wish to do.”
Former taoiseach and Fianna Fáil colleague Bertie Ahern said Mr Lenihan was a "politician of outstanding capabilities and compassion who was colourful and extraordinarily clever".
Mr Ahern said: "He showed great courage and fortitude in dealing with his illness, and he was a man of decency and integrity. He will be sadly missed."
EU economics commissioner Olli Rehn said Mr Lenihan's personal and professional contribution to addressing Ireland's economic difficulties ensured he would always be held in the highest esteem by those who worked with him in Europe.
“In placing his duty to the nation above his personal difficulties, Brian Lenihan has provided us with an outstanding example of public service,” Mr Rehn said. “Brian displayed great personal courage, strength and dedication to the public good, during a period of exceptional economic challenge in the life of Ireland and Europe.”
Mr Rehn said Mr Lenihan’s loss would be shared by many people “across the political spectrum in Europe, who had the honour to know Brian Lenihan as a politician and as a person”.
Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Lenihan was a “politician of conviction” and that he admired his decision to contest the general election this year in spite of his illness.
“He was a man of outstanding intellect and always endeavoured to bring that intellect to bear on the many complex issues that he had to deal with as a public representative and as a member of government. His reputation for working hard in public life was one that was fully deserved,” Mr Gilmore said.
“As a minister, he went out of his way to make himself accessible and available, not just to his party colleagues, but also to all members of the Dáil.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said people "couldn’t help but be impressed by the courage" that Mr Lenihan showed in battling cancer.
“He never sought any concession for his illness, he came and did a full day’s work and more. He was a good friend to Northern Ireland."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said Mr Lenihan was "not just a good politician, he was a very affable person". "[He was] someone who was very inclusive, someone who was a character."