Former Junior Minister, chairman of the Fianna Fáil party and Deputy Ceann Comhairle Mr Jim Tunney has died. He was 78.
Mr Tunney served as a Fianna Fáil deputy for the Dublin north-west for 23 years before he lost his seat in the 1992 election.
The Taoiseach Mr Ahern described Mr Tunney as "a parliamentarian and a gentleman who was passionately committed to serving his country."
Mr Ahern said: "he was not only a man of substance but one of style. From the flower that was always in his buttonhole to the elegance of his language in both Irish and English he had a commanding and stylish presence."
Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan said Mr Tunney had gained "the widespread affection and respect of colleagues of all political parties."
The Labour leader Mr Ruairi Quinn described Mr Tunney as a "thoughtful and courteous colleague" who carried out his duties with "fairness but also with wit and style."