A minute's silence was observed in the Dáil yesterday in tribute to two Irish "legends", comedian Maureen Potter and Enda Colleran, the former Galway footballer.

Ms Potter was an "institution in Ireland" and "someone who was supreme in theatre, pantomime and humour generally", according to Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny.

Expressing his sympathy to the family of Mr Colleran, the Mayo TD said the captain of two winning All-Ireland Galway teams was the "scourge of Mayo in the 1960s and a wonderful person to know".

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said Ms Potter left an "indelible mark on the lives of so many people who are extremely grateful to her".

Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte said she had brought pleasure to "hundreds of thousands of Irish people in a very long and distinguished career on the stage and in the media".

He also expressed his shock at Mr Colleran's death, whom he said would be "immortalised" as the two-time captain of the 1964-66 team that won three All-Ireland championships in a row.

Maureen Potter was a "great Irish entertainer who preferred to live and work here than to seek the fame she would undoubtedly have gained had she gone to England or America", said Sinn Féin's leader in the Dáil, Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

"She was one of the greatest personalities in the history of Irish theatre and entertainment," said Mr Ó Caoláin

The Minister of State for Health and Children, Mr Ivor Callely, said she was "truly a legend" whose legacy would live on.