BRIAN COWEN, MARY HARNEY AND EAMON RYAN:TÁNAISTE Brian Cowen described Bertie Ahern as a political genius.
"It is important on occasions such as this to recognise that for all the adversarial and sometimes phoney confrontation that takes place in this House, there are times when we can rise to the occasion and leave partisan politics outside of it, but the great genius of Deputy Ahern's politics and methodology has been his ability to extend his appeal beyond party.
"We know from our electoral success that he has been a tremendous strategist. Colleagues like myself and others who have worked closely with him on those campaigns would would be the first to acknowledge that that sense of strategy, not regularly articulated and often denigrated to the point of its non-existence by some who commentate on our public affairs, simply because he does not articulate it, is a facet of his personality that is grounded in his belief that we are here to solve problems and represent the people."
Mr Cowen said he had worked closely with the Taoiseach throughout his political career.
"I stated here, in one of the heated debates recently about his fitness and suitability for office, about which I never had a question, that loyalty is a political virtue.
"It is not the sole political virtue but it is one. I am convinced that unless that trait is displayed in times of difficulty, as well as in good times, the ability for us as a Government, or as a party, to collectively work together is put at risk because there will be good and bad times in politics."
Minister for Health Mary Harney said: "People have spoken of your extraordinary political skills, but I think the key to your successes are your personal qualities. There are many here who would say nobody really knows Bertie Ahern, but one thing I know, from my experience over the past 11 years, is that nothing is too unimportant for you.
"You use your strengths to concentrate on the issues that matter and to make the impossible a reality. You have embraced some impossible tasks and made them happen, not least the Northern Ireland peace process.
"When many others would have lost patience, because endless patience was required, you never gave up.
"Although there were many involved in the success that is now the peace in Northern Ireland, you were the prime architect."
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan recalled first seeing Mr Ahern in the Phoenix Park in the early 1980s. "The Taoiseach was there, bowling and adding to the occasion. You hair had not seen a comb for a month and your anorak - to use the correct technical term - was askew."
Mr Ryan praised Mr Ahern's commitment to his Dublin Central constituents over 30 years.
"He is a hardworking politician and he uses that hard work to get to grips with the details."
Mr Ahern, he said, was good at consensus politics, and skilful in applying them to the historic issue faced on this island in terms of sovereignty.
"He applied consensus politics to Europe like no other European politician has managed to do."
