Noel Carroll was "a good friend and champion" of "his beloved city of Dublin", the Taoiseach said in a tribute last night.
"As a talented sportsman, brilliant communicator and clear-minded thinker, he was outstanding in his generation," Mr Ahern said in a statement. "His keen focus, boundless energy and charismatic leadership saw him deeply involved in voluntary and sporting endeavours as well as in the business, planning and promotion of Dublin."
Tributes were paid also by other politicians and former colleagues in several walks of life.
The sports minister, Dr Jim McDaid, said he was "deeply saddened" by Mr Carroll's death. "He was a most distinguished Irish athlete who always upheld the highest standards of commitment and sportsmanship and set an example for all young athletes to follow," he said. The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruairi Quinn, described Mr Carroll as a man of "immense energy, passion and dedication".
"During his life Noel Carroll made an enormous contribution to Irish life", Mr Quinn said. The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, who had spoken to Mr Carroll as recently as the Dublin Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on Thursday, described his death as "a terrible shock. Noel was a true servant of Dublin. I believe he always had the city's interests at heart."
She also described him as a wonderful ambassador for Ireland in the international athletics arena and through his work for Goal.
Noel Carroll served on the Goal executive and its assistant director, Mr Mick Kiely, described him last night as "a towering presence, a man of immense charm and ability. A true champion, he worked tirelessly and with unceasing enthusiasm". The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, said Noel Carroll "had made an enormous contribution to the development of the capital city during a period of rapid economic and social change. I was always struck by Noel's energy and commitment to the task of creating a modern, vibrant city."
Mr Frank Feely, the former Dublin City manager, described him as "a very courageous man. "He would go into Hell's inferno if necessary to put the Corporation's case."
The president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Mr Jim Ruane said: "The death of Noel Carroll has greatly shocked all of us who have had the pleasure of working closely with him since his appointment as chief executive of the chamber.
"In the relatively short time he served as chief executive, Noel's commitment to the achievement of the aims of the chamber and its members, and to the improvement of Dublin, was outstanding," said Mr Ruane.