THE Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, has paid tribute to Mr Jimmy Leonard, the Cavan Monaghan TD, who announced his intention to retire at the next general election.

Mr Ahern said that Mr Leonard was recognised within the Dail and throughout Fianna Fail as one of the most conscientious and hardest working deputies in the country.

His service as a public representative spanned three decades, as a county councillor, senator and TD.

He also served as Fianna Fail spokesperson on tourism, as a member of the Council of Europe, vice chairman of the sub committee of the British/Irish Parliamentary Body and of the North Eastern health board.

Mr Leonard was first elected to the Dail in 1973 for Monaghan, and re elected at the following general election in 1977 for Cavan Monaghan.

He lost his seat to Kieran Doherty, the H-block candidate, in 1981, regained it in February, 1982, and has been a TD ever since.