The Opposition parties expressed their sympathies yesterday to the family of Mr John Lucey following his death in a climbing accident.
The Fine Gael party spokes- man on justice and defence, Mr Billy Timmins, said Mr Lucey was the driving force behind PDFORRA and had gained respect right across the board as an able and dynamic secretary general.
"The Defence Forces will be poorer for his passing but his wife Bernie and their five children can take some consolation from the tremendous legacy he has left behind," said Mr Timmins.
He also expressed sympathy to the family of Ms Joan O'Leary who was also killed in the accident.
The Labour defence spokes- man, Mr Jack Wall, said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr Lucey, who had given a lifetime of service to the Defence Forces and its members.
"He was a pivotal figure in the development of PDFORRA and he will be deeply missed by his members whose interests he represented so well.
"John became general secretary when the organisation was still in its infancy and he played a crucial role in its development and consolidation."
He had shown, said Mr Wall, that it was possible to have a strong and vigorous representative organisation for members of the Defence Forces "without impinging on the order and discipline of the Defence Forces".
He said he wished to extend his deepest sympathy to Mr Lucey's wife, family and colleagues in the Defence Forces.