Founding member of the Progressive Democrats and former Cork South Central TD, Pearse Wyse has died in hospital in Cork at the age of 81.
A native of Ballinlough in Cork city, Mr Wyse began his career as a public representative when he was first elected to Cork City Council or Cork Corporation as it was then in 1960.
He ran for Fianna Fáil as Jack Lynch's running mate in the 1965 General Election for Cork City and was duly elected in the then five seat constituency.
He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance when Jack Lynch led Fianna Fáil back into government in the 1977 landslide and he served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 1978 until 1979.
A staunch supporter of Mr Lynch, Mr Wyse backed George Colley in the leadership contest with Charles Haughey and he remained an opponent of Mr Haughey throughout the rest of his time in Fianna Fáil.
He left the party with Des O'Malley in 1985 to help found the Progressive Democrats and he held his seat in Cork South Central as a Progressive Democrat TD in the 1987 and the 1989 General Elections.
He stepped down from national politics in 1992 when his seat was held for the Progressive Democrats by Pat Cox.
He remained a member of Cork Corporation until he retired in 1999 having served there for almost 40 years including two terms as Lord Mayor of Cork in 1967/68 and again in 1974/75.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he was saddened by the death of Mr Wyse, who "had a very distinguished record of service on behalf of the people of Cork and Ireland".
He added: "He was a courteous, hardworking and thoroughly decent man and I know that his passing will be deeply regretted on all sides of the House. I wish to extend my sympathies to his family and friends."
In a statement, Minister for Health Mary Harney expressed her "deep sorrow" at the news.
"When Des O'Malley founded the Progressive Democrats in 1985 it was the arrival of individuals such as Pearse Wyse that gave us the full confidence that our vision of founding a political party to make a real difference, would truly be achieved," the former PD leader said. "Pearse contributed massively to the development of the party, especially in those early days when fresh ideas and optimism helped generate policies that moved Ireland forward."
Mr Wyse's party colleague, former Cork North Central PD TD Mairín Quill said that she had been deeply saddened to learn of his death and said that he had been very supportive to her throughout her political career.
"Pearse Wyse was one of the most highly respected and hard working public representatives that any constituency could ever have had - he had a very deep and inborn sense of public service and he completely rejected that type of political ambition that is based on self-service.
"He was intensely loyal to Jack Lynch and he was acutely aware of what Charlie Haughey was about but unlike others who were more interested in their own self advancement, he stood up and stood out and was counted - he was a man of great moral courage."
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Brian Bermingham, who served in the Progressive Democrats, also paid tribute to Mr Wyse who is survived by his wife, Theresa and his son, Pearse Óg.
"Pearse Wyse was a loyal servant of the people of Cork at local and national level for over a generation. His contribution was immense and the city will mourn his passing. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this time"
Mr Wyse's remains, will be removed from O'Connor's Funeral Home at Temple Hill at 7.30pm tomorrow to Ballinlough Church where requiem mass will take place at noon on Thursday to be followed by burial at St Finbarr's Cemetery.
