Seán Haughey TD praised his father in an address to the congregation at the funeral Mass in Our Lady of Consolation Church at Donnycarney yesterday.
His remarks, laced with affection and humour, drew rounds of applause.
"In recent years, his critics in the media have dominated the debate about my father. I have absolutely no doubt that historians will be far more positive about my father's legacy," said Mr Haughey. "It is clear to me, too, that the people as a whole always had a much more balanced view of his political life."
He said that his father loved people, talking and listening to them. "I believe that this quality distinguished him from many other politicians. He always said to us that there was nobody from whom you could not learn something.
"He had a wide range of interests and could speak with authority on almost every subject to the people he came in contact with. As he moved throughout the country, meeting all sorts of people, during the course of his long political career, and into his retirement, my mother used to say 'it would seem everybody hates Charlie Haughey, except the people'."
Charles Haughey had said that up to the time of his death, he had received thousands of letters from people all over the country and from all walks of life wishing him well, promising him prayers, and thanking him for things he did during his many years of public service.
"I do not think that happens to many politicians."
He added: "The letters, all of which were replied to personally, came from artists, writers, archaeologists, horse breeders, third-level students, entrepreneurs, trade unionists, widows, retired public servants, northern nationalists, his former constituents in Dublin North Central, but, above all, pensioners, thanking him for the free travel."
While it was a cliche, his father could truly be described as a man of the people, said Mr Haughey. "The welfare of people was his political priority."
He recalled that the speech his father had made on his last day in the Dáil as taoiseach had concluded with the statement that he had served the people, all of the people, to the best of his ability.
"And that is absolutely true."
He said that, first and foremost, Charles Haughey had been a great father. "He was a great father for so many reasons. He always saw the good in his children and never the bad. He was positive about us and never negative. What more could children ask of their father?"
He had also become a father figure to other people, said Mr Haughey. "Many of our friends went to him for help and guidance and this was always forthcoming."
He was also, he added, a wonderful grandfather. "He adored his grandchildren and they loved him in return. We will always be thankful to him for passing on to them so many things: an awareness of nature, a feel for the sea, a practical respect for the environment, an appreciation of all things French and, of course, a deep love for the Irish nation."
Mr Haughey said that his grandfather, John Haughey, had served in the Army. "My father served in the LDF and the FCA in the Emergency. As a result, he had a great respect for the institutions of this State, including the Defence Forces. We are deeply grateful to all the members of the Defence Forces, as well as the members of the Garda Síochána, for their full participation in this State funeral."
He thanked President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mr Haughey's medical team.
