Taoiseach Micheál Martin has paid tribute to former Fianna Fáil politician Michael O'Kennedy, who died on Saturday aged 86.
Mr O'Kennedy served as an Oireachtas member for more than 35 years, holding six different ministerial portfolios, including minister for labour, minister for agriculture and minister for finance. He was also a European Commissioner.
The Taoiseach said on Saturday he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Mr O’Kennedy, who he described as “a man of great integrity and friendly demeanour”.
“Few people have left such a rich, or long, political legacy, or dedicated so much to Irish public life,” Mr Martin said. “Michael had a front-row seat for the formative years of modern Ireland.
“A Senior Counsel, he had a keen legal mind, and brought great wit, intelligence and determination to several ministerial roles spanning three decades.
"Michael was also a strong voice for Ireland on the international stage, serving as European Commissioner in the early 1980s, before returning to the Dáil to serve his beloved Tipperary North once again," he added.
Former taoiseach John Bruton also paid tribute to Mr O’Kennedy, saying he “represented Ireland with distinction and courtesy in many international fora”.
He said Mr O’Kennedy was “personally kind in his dealings with other politicians” and “accomplished in several European languages”.
"My wife, Finola, joins me in expressing heartfelt sympathy with his widow, Breda, and all Michael's family," Mr Bruton added.
Life and career
Mr O'Kennedy was born in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, in 1936 and studied in University College Dublin, where he qualified as a barrister before joining Fianna Fáil in the late 1950s.
He served in the Seanad until 1969 and was first elected to the Dáil for Tipperary North.
He lost his seat in the Dáil in 1992 and returned to the Seanad.
His career in politics spanned five decades before Mr O’Kennedy retired from national politics in 2002.
Mr O'Kennedy then returned to practising as a barrister and was a member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
In 2004, he received an honour from Queen Elizabeth for his work forging links between British and Irish parliaments.
Mr O’Kennedy is survived by his wife, Breda, and children, Brian, Orla and Mary.
Funeral arrangements
Mr O’Kennedy will repose at Fanagan’s Funeral Home, Willbrook, Rathfarnham, on Monday, April 18th, from 5pm until 8pm.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday, April 19th, in St Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, arriving for 1.30pm Requiem Mass. The Mass can be viewed online here.
Burial will take place afterwards in Tyone Cemetery, Nenagh.