Former Fine Gael Senator Pol O Foighil, who died yesterday, was the first politician to test strict dress code rules in Leinster House, it emerged today.
Mr O Foighil, 78, caused controversy in 1992 when he tried to wear his Connemara-designed bainin cardigan in the Senate chamber.
But the chief of protocol in Leinster House warned him that the garment didn't meet the dress code standards as it was unlined and had no lapels.
Since this episode, several TDs have been able to wear a suit and open-necked shirt while in the chamber and corridors of the Oireachtas.
Mr O Foighil's former Oireachtas and Galway Co Council colleague Padraic McCormack said the Gaeltacht activist was very independent-minded. "He was more a community activist than a party politician. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind.
"He was the first to break the `no-tie' rule in Leinster House and it was a lot more relaxed after that," he said.
Mr O Foighil later changed his name by deed poll to 'Bainin-O Foighil' and appeared in the coveted top position of the ballot paper for Galway West in the 1992 General Election.
Originally from Thurles, Mr O Foighil moved to Galway as a young man to teach and made his home in Indreabhan. He served on Galway County Council and on Udaras na Gaeltachta until he resigned for health reasons in April 2004.
He first ran for the Dail in 1976, in the Galway West by-election won by Maire Geoghegan Quinn. He also contested the 1984 European Elections for Connaught Ulster and later served as a Senator for Fine Gael from 1989-1993.
Mr O Foighil was well known for his community development work and for developing co-operatives in Connemara, the Aran Islands, and Inishbiggle. He hit the headlines again in 2002 for promoting a controversial language planning clause, which meant that only Irish speakers could purchase or build houses in the Galway Gaeltacht.
Mr O Foighil also developed several island water schemes, homes for the elderly and the first wind energy farm in Co Galway. Gaeltacht minister Eamon O Cuiv tonight paid tribute to Mr O Foighil's work on behalf of the people of the Gaeltacht, on behalf of islanders and in promoting Irish throughout the country.
He said: "The impact of his work can be seen throughout the Gaeltacht areas of the west. "He never ceased in his desire to promote new projects. As a politician he fought strongly for what he believed in and for his community. He spoke out strongly on many subjects that concerned the people of the west. He was a very fair, gentle and kindly man as well."
Fine Gael's Mr McCormack added: "He was a man who left his mark. He wasn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and get involved in local community work himself." Mr O Foighil failed to win a nomination to run for Fine Gael in the 2002 General Election. He is survived by his wife Chrissie and family.