The former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, is to remain in hospital for up to two weeks following his collapse on Monday from a life-threatening cardiac condition.
Mr Haughey was transferred early yesterday from intensive care to Beaumont Hospital's coronary care unit, where his condition was described as "comfortable" and "stable".
Among those to visit him in the 34-bed mixed unit yesterday was the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell. He is understood to have spoken to Mr Haughey, along with his wife, Maureen, and other family members who continued a bedside vigil.
The hospital's general manager, Mr Liam Duffy, said that while Mr Haughey was making a good recovery he was expected to remain in hospital for at least 10 or 11 days.
"Obviously that will be reviewed as each day goes by," he said. "He is still in bed and is still sedated. He is resting a lot and sleeping periodically."
Despite this, Mr Duffy said, Mr Haughey (75) was "alert and talking to people".
Visits were being confined to family members which, Mr Duffy added, was understandable given "what he has been through".
A Catholic Church spokesman confirmed that Cardinal Connell also visited Beaumont yesterday and called in to see Mr Haughey.
The cardinal was seen leaving the hospital around lunchtime through the accident and emergency exit, thereby avoiding the congregation of reporters and photographers gathered at the main entrance for the second day running.
Mr Haughey's son, Ciaran, was among a number of family members to pay tribute to the hospital's medical and nursing staff, including cardiologist Prof Eoin O'Brien and anaesthetist Dr Brian Lamont.
"They've all been tremendous, very helpful. We are very happy with the way things are going," said Mr Haughey.
"He is improving all the time. Obviously, it was very touch and go on the first night we were here. It was a very worrying time. But he is greatly improved today. It's a tremendous recovery, really."
One of the ex-Taoiseach's other sons, Conor, described the medical staff as "absolutely fantastic" and very professional. "They saved my father's life."
Mr Haughey added his father was in "good spirits" and joking with nursing staff.
"We're very happy with his progress. We think he is out of danger now. So, needless to say,, we are all very happy. We're very relieved."
A number of deliveries of flowers were made to the former Taoiseach yesterday, including one in person by pensioner Mr Gerry McCann, from Ballyfermot.
"He gave me my bus pass," said Mr McCann, explaining his fleeting visit to the hospital. Aged 75, "the same as himself", the pensioner rushed up to the reception desk, handed in a colourful bouquet and made a quick exit as, he said, he had a taxi waiting.
Mr Haughey, who has terminal prostrate cancer, was admitted to Beaumont early on Monday morning with what the medical team described as a serious life-threatening cardiac condition.
Irregular heart contractions restricted the flow of blood from his heart to his brain and other vital organs, causing him to collapse suddenly at his Kinsealy home.
Mr Haughey was taken off a ventilator on Monday night but remained in intensive care until about 8.30 a.m. yesterday. Following an assessment by Prof O'Brien, he was transferred to the coronary care unit, a mixed unit on the ground floor of the 634-bed hospital.
Mr Duffy said the unit was broken into six-, four-, two- and single-bed rooms and that Mr Haughey was being treated yesterday in one of the shared rooms.
He said it was up to Mr Haughey's doctors to decide whether to move Mr Haughey again.
As to whether the patient might be transferred to a single-bed room, Mr Duffy replied, "That is based purely on the person's clinical condition, rather than whether you are a public or private patient."
The ex-Taoiseach completed giving his evidence to the Moriarty tribunal, which is inquiring into his finances, last Thursday morning.
Family members have blamed the stress arising from the inquiry as a contributory factor into shortening his life expectancy.
