THE DEATH of Brian Lenihan, former minister for finance, was “an enormous loss to public life in Ireland”, President Mary McAleese has said.
In a statement yesterday, she said “the untimely death of such a young and talented public servant is very distressing for all his family, friends and colleagues”.
The President added: “As minister for finance, Brian had to confront challenges, the scale and gravity of which were unprecedented in the history of the State.
“Despite his illness, he faced up to those challenges with extraordinary but characteristic dignity, courage and good humour.”
The Taoiseach interrupted the North-South Ministerial Council meeting at Farmleigh yesterday morning to pay public tribute to the late finance minister.
“Brian Lenihan was exemplary in the carrying out of his public duties,” Mr Kenny said.
“I have known Brian Lenihan for many years: I regarded him as a friend in politics.”
Former taoiseach Brian Cowen, who appointed Mr Lenihan as minister for finance, said in a statement: “He sought to serve the best interests of this country at all times. At the cabinet table, I saw at first-hand how hard he worked and how committed he was to doing his utmost for Ireland.
“He made an immense contribution to dealing with the problems the country has faced and I believe that this will be appreciated all the more in time,” Mr Cowen said.
Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said: “Brian was somebody for whom I had tremendous regard, and at a personal level I always found him to be warm, good humoured and convivial.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said: “Brian’s commitment in doing his utmost for the Irish people defines modern patriotism and all that is laudable in our politics.” He was “always cool and clear-headed” in his decision-making and willing to make unpopular but necessary choices.
“His unyielding determination to do his duty – in spite of a serious illness – was remarkable and inspirational. It was truly a profile in courage,” Mr Martin said.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter also paid tribute to Mr Lenihan, a legal colleague and one of his predecessors in the Department of Justice.
“He made a substantial contribution to public life and showed extraordinary bravery in the face of an appalling illness over the last two years,” Mr Shatter said.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, a constituency colleague, said, like his father Brian snr, Mr Lenihan was charming and witty.
“He loved Ireland and he loved people,” she said. “He was a very distinguished Irishman.”
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: “He was a politician of outstanding capabilities and compassion who was colourful and extraordinarily clever. He did immense work on behalf of the people of this country as a minister and his loss is a huge one for Irish politics,” Mr Ahern added.
Green Party leader and former communications minister Éamon Ryan said: “He was the most creative and gracious colleague to work with and we mourn his passing dearly.”
Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said: “A true parliamentarian, public representative and servant of the State, he handled his illness with courage, dignity and good humour while also carrying out his parliamentary duties at a particularly tough time in our nation’s history.”
The First and Deputy First Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive also paid tribute.
“Brian was a friend and I think it says much of him, his character as an individual, that all of us who knew him considered him to be so,” First Minister Peter Robinson said.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “We’re not just losing a very experienced politician, someone who made a massive contribution to life on this island, but we have also lost a very dear friend.”
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said Mr Lenihan was “a man who put the public interest and that of his country first”.
Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan said: “Brian Lenihan was a strong and energetic Minister for Finance who acted patriotically to stabilise the State’s finances in the face of unprecedented pressures.”
The staff of the Department of Finance expressed sympathies to the Lenihan family.
Ibec director general Danny McCoy said Mr Lenihan worked “tirelessly at getting the economy back onto a sustainable footing”.
Ictu general secretary David Begg said he had always been impressed by Mr Lenihan’s commitment to public service and by the fortitude and bravery he showed while battling illness.
