Giant of Journalism: a bust of Dick Walsh is unveiled in the new Irish Times building

Leading politicians and journalists gathered with family members of the late Dick Walsh in the Irish Timesbuilding in Dublin last night for the unveiling by the newspaper's editor, Geraldine Kennedy, of a bust of the former journalist and author.

Ms Kennedy said it was appropriate the first public function in the new building was to recognise Mr Walsh's "unique contribution to the newspaper".

She recalled that Mr Walsh had pioneered the creation of the editorial committee, which is concerned with standards and ethics at the paper, and it was fitting that the editorial committee had commissioned the bust from sculptor John Coll to honour him.

Ms Kennedy said she had met Dick Walsh on her first day on the newspaper in February 1973 "and he was a giant in journalism even then". He had always taken time to encourage younger journalists and had never changed in that respect over the years.

She described Mr Walsh as "an institution within two institutions, The Irish Timesand the Oireachtas". He had loved journalism and politics and had been made a member of honour of the National Union of Journalists. On his death in 2003 the Dáil and Seanad had stood for a miniute in silence.

Mr Walsh's family, including his widow Ruth Kelly, his daughters Susie and Francesca, his grandchildren Millie and Sara Baker, his brother Johnny and his sisters Noelle and Anne were warmly welcomed by Ms Kennedy.

Also present were the new chairman of the Irish TimesLtd, David Went, managing director Maeve Donovan, and former editor Conor Brady.

From the political correspondents' room in Leinster House came Michael Mills, who subsequently became ombudsman, and Chris Glennon, Joe O'Malley, Liam O'Neill, John Foley and Una Claffey. Labour leader Pat Rabbitte also attended.

Former Irish Timescolleagues Maeve Binchy, Mary Maher and Michael Finlan were among many former members of staff who were present.

Tributes were paid by the father of the NUJ chapel at the newspaper, Deaglán De Bréadún, who said Dick Walsh "had written the book on union activism", and the chairman of the editorial committee, Emmet Malone, who said Mr Walsh's work was one of the reasons why good journalists wanted to work at the The Irish Times.