The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr Dick Spring, led the tributes to the late Mr Jim Kemmy TD whom he described as "one of Limerick's greatest sons". He said Mr Kemmy joined the Labour Party in 1963 and for 34 years practised his trade as a deeply committed socialist. He left the party in 1972, and in 1992 he selflessly, and in the interests of the greater cause, led his Democratic Socialist Party into a merger with Labour. Since then he had made an enormous contribution to the development of the party. He had been chairman of the party for the last five years.
"It is almost impossible to assess Jim Kemmy's contribution. A giant of a man in every way, a passionate advocate, a determined representative, a thinker and a doer, he was one of the most remarkable politicians of his generation. Above all, he was a remarkable man whose warmth, generosity of spirit and courage were never more manifest than in his final illness."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said Mr Kemmy was "essentially a man of the people who gloried in that role". He was a man who believed fervently in the possibility of politics changing the human condition for the better. "He will never be forgotten by the people that he inspired. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends."
The Tanaiste, Ms Mary Harney, said he was one of the great personalities of modern Irish politics, ail. and, indeed, to all his friends and colleagues. He was a man of deep convictions who represented his constituents with distinction. "The Dail has lost one of its true gentlemen and politics is very much the poorer for his passing."
The leader of Fine Gael, Mr John Bruton, said the people of Limerick had lost a devoted son who was tireless in striving to promote the interests of his native city and its people - a public representative of the highest calibre.
The leader of Democratic Left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, described Mr Kemmy as a political giant who had made a huge impact on the political development of socialist thinking in Ireland. "He was a man of immense courage, who was never afraid to confront difficult issues. He was a political trail blazer, tackling difficult issues when others wanted them swept under the carpet. I particularly admired his innovative thinking on Northern Ireland."
Mr Des O'Malley TD said Mr Kemmy was a man of considerable political stature. When they had both started off in politics there had been many sharp differences between them. But as the years passed, "I recognised him for the man of great integrity and honesty which he was, and I held him in very high regard".
The executive council of the ICTU said Mr Kemmy was a committed trade unionist. He had a great love of and respect for people and ideas. He was an outspoken champion of causes before they became popular and he stuck with them until he got results.
Mr John Cushnahan MEP described the Limerick deputy as a man of immense courage, compassion and integrity who gave a lifetime of useful public service.
Mr Terry Devlin, artistic director of the Island Theatre Company, Limerick, said the arts would sorely miss Mr Kemmy. "He was a lover of the theatre and his active presence in the arts encapsulated the vitality of the region he represented."
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy of Focus Ireland said his death left a big lacuna in Irish public life. "A man larger than life, a most humane, courageous, forthright and intelligent gentleman. His life was a living testimony of his commitment to the poor, the excluded and to the eradication of poverty and injustice."
Senator Mary Jackman said he had sought to promote his beloved Limerick as a city of immense history. He was a lone liberal voice in the past when the liberal agenda was not popular. The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland expressed its deep regret and said Mr Kemmy was a good friend to the Jewish Community and supported it on many occasions.
Mr Willie O'Dea TD said Mr Kemmy was a Limerick institution, a fearless champion of the poor and disadvantaged who did not hesitate to take on the establishment both lay and clerical on behalf of the people he represented.
The funeral arrangements are: body in repose at Griffin's Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick, 10 a.m. to8 p.m. today and Sunday. Funeral from there on Monday at 1.30 p.m. to St Laurence's Cemetery, Limerick.