THE President has led the tributes to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Mr Liam Naughten, who was killed in a road accident on the Athlone to Ballinasloe road on Saturday.
Mrs Robinson said she had heard of his death with deep shock and sadness. "He was a highly respected member of Seanad Eireann and will be sorely missed by his colleagues. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the people of Ireland, I convey deep sympathy to his family."
Mr Naughten (52) was a farmer from Drum, near Athlone. He was married with six sons and two daughters.
His political career at national level began when he was elected to the Seanad for Fine Gael in 1981. He was a TD from 1982 to 1989, before returning to the Seanad, where he was elected LeasChathaoirleach. He was elected Cathaoirleach in July of last year, following the death of his fellow Athlone man, Senator Sean Fallon, of Fianna Fail.
In this capacity, he was a member of the Council of State, which the President consults on specific matters, and the Presidential Commission, a group that fulfils presidential duties in the absence of the President.
Mr Naughten contested some hard fought general elections, with only a handful of votes separating him and the current Fine Gael TD for Longford Roscommon, Mr John Connor. Mr Connor said yesterday that Mr Naughten was "one of the most hardworking public representatives I know and a wonderful party man".
Within the Oireachtas, he was liked by all political parties, his easy manner and sense of humour making him popular with senators and TDs alike.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, who was told of Mr Naughten's death while attending the Young Fine Gael conference in Waterford, expressed shock.
"It is terrible news. I have known Liam for most of our political lives and he was one of the simplest and most unassuming people you could meet.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said he was shocked and dismayed to hear of Mr Naughten's death. "He was a dedicated and honourable public representative with a long record of distinguished service in the Dail and in Seanad Eireann."
Following so quickly on the death of Sean Fallon, his tragic death was another severe blow to the people of Roscommon and to his friends and colleagues across all political parties.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said Mr Naughten would be a great loss to parliamentary life. "He served with great distinction in the Oireachtas, particularly as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad".
The party's deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, who lives in Athlone, described him as a "modest, likeable person, with a huge sense of public duty". His death was a huge loss, and he would be strongly missed, she said.
The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, said that Mr Naughten was an able and effective politician, who immediately established his authority after taking the Chair in the Seanad. "He managed Seanad, business very efficiently over a difficult time for the Government given that it does not have a majority."
Mr Naughten's remains will be removed from Portiuncula Hospital today at 6 p.m. to St Bridget's Church, Drum, Athlone. He will be buried tomorrow in Drum cemetery after Requiem Mass at noon.
