The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last night described as "an extraordinary person" the ministerial adviser Ms Gobnait O'Connell who died in the crash.
Ms O'Connell (38) was special adviser to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, and was seen as one of Fianna Fail's and the Government's most dynamic and able strategists.
Mr Ahern said Ms O'Connell was passionate, dedicated and always in infectious good humour. He said he, his party and the Government would "miss her deeply as a dear friend and valued colleague". He also extended sympathy to the relatives and friends of the man who died in the accident.
From Millstreet, Co Cork, Ms O'Connell trained and worked as a nurse in Cork, later becoming industrial relations officer of the Irish Nurses' Organisation. She was a key Fianna Fail activist in the Cork North Central constituency, particularly during the 1997 election.
She was appointed party youth and development officer shortly afterwards, becoming responsible for running both the women's and youth branches of the party. Last February she was appointed special adviser to Mr Martin.
Colleagues last night paid tribute to Ms O'Connell's "fantastic political skills, great sense of humour and unrivalled ability as a motivator".
The general secretary of the Irish Nurses' Organisation, Mr Liam Doran, said that the organisation was in mourning over Ms O'Connell's death. "She was a bundle of energy, an excellent work colleague and a good friend." Ms O'Connell had been on a career break from her position with the INO.
Fine Gael and Labour echoed the Taoiseach's expression of sympathy to the families of the bereaved.