Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has paid tribute to the "flamboyant and colourful" former Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central Liam Burke, who died at the weekend.
Mr Burke (77) was first elected to the Dáil in 1969 and retired at the 2002 general election. He lost his seat in 1977 and 1989, before winning it back again at the immediately subsequent elections. He was also a Lord Mayor of Cork.
"Liam was both a friend and colleague over the many years that we spent in Dáil Éireann together and his death today marks the end of a political career that spanned five decades," Mr Kenny said. "He was a flamboyant and colourful character who had a unique style in presenting his case for Cork."
The core of Mr Burke's political philosophy, he added, was the wellbeing of Cork, in particular his constituency. "I have always been struck by the real and genuine affection that the ordinary people of Cork had for Liam."
Mr Kenny said when long-serving politicians died, people often said that an era had passed."In this case that phrase is most appropriate."
Mr Burke is survived by his wife Noreen and their daughters Catherine and Emma.
The removal will take place at 6pm this evening from Temple Hill funeral home, Ballintemple, to St Columba's church, Douglas. The burial will take place tomorrow in St Finbarr's cemetery, Glasheen, after 11am Mass.