WARM TRIBUTES have been paid to Ireland's first ombudsman, Michael Mills, who died on Sunday after a short illness.
Outgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he had learned of Mr Mill's death with "great sadness". He described him as one of Ireland's foremost journalists and respected public servants.
"For many years, Michael Mills held the respect of all sides within Leinster House for his impartial and accurate coverage of political affairs," Mr Ahern said. It was this impartiality that resulted in him being honoured with the role of ombudsman.
"Serving two terms in this position, Michael ensured that this important office garnered the respect of all strands of Irish life."
The Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, said Mr Mills "encapsulated all the essential qualities of an ombudsman: integrity, independence, public service ethic, and a consummate interest in righting wrongs."
She said early successes in resolving many complex complaints, "sometimes not without staunch resistance from public bodies", gave the office a high public profile and proved itself a very worthwhile ally for those people who had suffered injustice.
Mr Mills was appointed ombudsman in 1984 by the Fine Gael- Labour government led by Garret FitzGerald.
Yesterday Dr FitzGerald said Mr Mills was always a fair and objective reporter in The Irish Press and was an obvious choice for Ireland's first ombudsman. "He had very strong views with a great integrity and everyone respected him as a journalist," he said.
Mr Mills had a "great sense of public duty"and "we could rely on him to do the job and to ensure justice was given to people who might not get it easily," he said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Mr Mills as ombudsman had "set the standard we have come to expect from the office". He said Mr Mills had campaigned energetically for greater powers for that newly established office "so that he could fairly represent the interests of the public".
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the Irish people "owe Michael Mills an enormous debt of gratitude" for firmly establishing the office as advocate of those who had been unfairly treated by the State's institutions.
"His own personal courage and integrity was also very evident from the way in which he defended his office when it came under attack from the Haughey government in the late 1980s."
The leader of the Progressive Democrats and Minister for Health, Mary Harney said Mr Mills "was a top-class political correspondent and an ombudsman of the highest integrity, giving service to all citizens."
The National Union of Journalists Irish secretary, Séamus Dooley said Mr Mills was "a distinguished journalist" who wrote with clarity and precision.
"He had a strong commitment to social justice and he brought that passion to the post of ombudsman. He contributed to the elimination of bureaucracy within the public service and was a powerful advocate on behalf of disadvantaged citizens."
Dr Maurice Manning, president of the Irish Human Rights Commission, said Mr Mills was a journalist of extraordinary integrity "who put honest and fearless reporting and high standards in public life at the heart of his profession."
The removal will take place tomorrow from Massey Bros Funeral Home, Templeogue, to the Church of St Pius X, College Drive, arriving at 6pm. The funeral will be held on Thursday after 10am Mass to Kilmashogue Cemetery.
