Modern-day Tralee is almost unrecognisable compared to a decade ago. The town is on the crest of a wave. The man who made it happen is Dick Spring. "I tell you what he has done," said Mr Donal Tobin, a Labour councillor in the town. "The Aqua Dome Leisure Centre would not have come here were it not for him. The Jenny Johnston Heritage Project at Blennerville was supported by Dick Spring. The Fenit Marina Development happened because he gave it his enthusiastic backing. Any sort of project that stood up to scrutiny received his help. Dick Spring was never found wanting for North Kerry."
The tax incentive project approved through his influence has led to the construction of two new hotels - the Abbeygate and the Tralee Court - while the Earl of Desmond hotel has doubled its number of rooms.
Since the Spring influence came to bear on Tralee, there has been a huge increase in infrastructural development. Every year during his time in office, the local authority has built 50 new houses, Mr Tobin said. A new sewage treatment plant for the town will be finished next year. Work will commence on a new regional college for Tralee on a 60-acre site shortly, and Shannon Development has taken an option on an adjoining 50-acre site to develop a technology park.
There was no doubting the pride in Dick Spring among locals in the town yesterday.
"He's entitled to make his decision, but the good thing is that he is staying on - Tralee won't be losing him," said Mrs Margaret O'Sullivan. "All you have to do is look around. The town is booming and it's all down to Dick Spring," she said.
"He has served us well over the years. Tralee owes Dick a lot and it will not be forgotten. The Springs have a great tradition of politics in this town and when Dick finally decides to retire from politics, I bet that another member of the family will take up the reins. He has given great service to his county and his country."
"I have great admiration for him - he took on the poisoned chalice of Foreign Affairs at a time when it was a very difficult job," said Mr Gerry Daly. "He was and remains a great public servant. I suppose you could say that 15 years at the top is enough for any man."
A publican, Mr Sean Og McElligott, said that neither "God nor man" could have done more for Tralee. "He's hardly seen his children in 15 years - there's not a TD in the county or the country with Dick Spring's record."
Ms Bernie Parker-Griffin said she was disappointed that Mr Spring had decided to stand down as party leader. "He did a lot for Tralee. I suppose it will be harder now for him to help the town - but I know he will do his best."
The president of the Tralee Chamber of Commerce, Mr Chris Short, said the business community in Tralee had every reason to be thankful to Dick Spring. He had given the town his total co-operation and had worked assiduously to improve its economic life. "Dick Spring did not suffer fools gladly. If you came to him with a project, and if that project stood up, Dick Spring would give you his support. He kick-started an amount of projects in North Kerry and for that, the people of the constituency are more than grateful. Any big project that happened in Tralee happened because Dick Spring was there. He made a huge contribution."
One of the few dissenting voices was that of Mr Pat O'Shea, who supports Fianna Fail. Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, he said he had no knowledge whatsoever of Mr Spring's influence on the economic well-being of Tralee.
This view was immediately contradicted by Mr Tim Moynihan, a barman in the town. "He'd buy and sell them all. He's the parliamentarian of the day. If you are straight with Dick Spring, he is straight with you. He is clear and concise - just look at him addressing the Dail. The only mistake he ever made was to drop that rugby ball."