There were tributes from all sides of the House, and a minute's silence, in honour of the late Mr Michael Ferris (Labour, Tipperary South).

The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said: "My abiding memory of Michael is of his energy, his sense of fun and his sheer lust for life. He was a generous and warm friend, who gave of his all to the Labour Party. There was never a scintilla of doubt, or a hint of equivocation, in Michael about his commitment to the party. We have lost one of its finest members, and we are all the lesser for it."

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, described Mr Ferris as "exceptionally decent, conscientious and immensely hardworking", adding that he was a man who held strong and passionate views.

"He played a very active role in European and international affairs as a member of the European socialist group and inter-parliamentary group. He took them very seriously."

The Fine Gael deputy leader, Mrs Nora Owen, said: "Michael was the embodiment of all that was decent and honourable in politics. Wherever he went, he left friends behind, be it at county council or health board level, or in the Dail or Seanad. He saw his role first and foremost to represent the people of Tipperary South."

The Tanaiste and PD leader, Ms Harney, said: "He had a warm and vibrant personality and his innate decency was obvious to all who knew him. Two weeks ago, we had a conversation about a matter in south Tipperary in which he was particularly interested. One always wanted to make a special effort to help him as one regarded him as a pal. That is not something we could all say about each other."

Mr Trevor Sargent (Green Party, Dublin North) said that Mr Ferris was "a true and hardworking gentleman". Mr Ferris's constituency colleagues, Mr Noel Davern (Fianna Fail) and Ms Therese Ahern (Fine Gael) also joined the tributes.