Mr Jim Tunney, who has died, was a senior Fianna Fáil TD, serving in a number of key positions during a 23-year career in Leinster House.
Mr Tunney (78) was a junior minister, Leas-Cheann Comhairle and chairman of the parliamentary party at different times. He also served a term as Lord Mayor of Dublin and was co-chairman of the British-Irish inter-parliamentary body. A protégé of Jack Lynch, with whom he had played club football in Dublin, he was, nevertheless, retained by Mr Lynch's successor, Mr Charles Haughey, becoming a close supporter in the 1980s when Mr Haughey's leadership was under threat.
Despite a tendency to sound pompous when chairing Dáil proceedings, he was popular with his colleagues. A stylish dresser, he wore a flower on his lapel, gaining the affectionate title, the "yellow rose of Finglas". Mr Tunney played Gaelic football for Dublin and worked as a civil servant and, later, a teacher. He was headmaster of Blanchardstown Vocational School before his election to the Dáil for Dublin North West in 1969. He held the seat until his defeat in the 1992 election.
Mr Tunney is survived by his wife, Cathleen, sons, Jim and Sean, and daughters, Angela and Orla. He will be buried tomorrow in Mulhuddart Cemetery after Requiem Mass at noon.
