Michael Ferris dies in Lisbon

The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn TD has paid tribute to South Tipperary Dail deputy, Mr Michael Ferris, who died yesterday evening while attending an EU meeting in Lisbon.

Mr Quinn said he was "devastated" to hear of Mr Ferris's sudden death in the Portuguese capital. He described Mr Ferris as "a loyal, hard-working and universally popular TD who had friends on all sides of Dail Eireann.

"He was an outstanding public representative who carried the Labour flag in Tipperary South during good times and bad with courage and pride. We will miss him greatly," Mr Quinn said in a statement issued late last night.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said Mr Ferris was "a true gentleman, a dedicated public representative and a diligent and hardworking parliamentarian".

The leader of Fine Gael, Mr John Bruton, said Mr Ferris was "thoroughly decent" and "respected and liked on all sides of the house".

The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, described Mr Ferris as "a warm and generous man whose presence will be sorely missed". The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr James McDaid, said Mr Ferris's "untimely loss" would be "deeply regretted by all his Oireachtas colleagues".

Born in Bansha, Co Tipperary, Mr Ferris (68), was first elected to the Dail in 1989.

At the time of his death, he was his party's Assistant Whip and chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

His political career began in 1967 when he was elected to South Tipperary County Council.

He became a senator in 1975 and was leader of the Labour Party group in the Seanad for a time.

He also served as chairman of the Joint Committee on European Affairs and as Labour Party vice-chairman.

Mr Ferris, who lived in Rosanna in Co Tipperary, is survived by his wife, Ellen, and six children.