Statement by the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, TD, on the death of the former Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Mr. Charles J. Haughey.
"I have learned with great sadness of the death today of the former Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fail, Mr Charles Haughey. It is a very sad occasion, and marks the passing of an era.
"On behalf of the Government and Fianna Fáil, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to his wife Maureen, his daughter Eimear, and his sons, Conor, Ciaran and Sean, as well as his wider family.
"Charles Haughey made a huge impact on Irish life over a thirty-five year political career spanning from the late 1950s. He served with distinction in every Ministerial position that he held, and his many imaginative initiatives are remembered.
"He brought in most of the free schemes for the elderly, as well as generous pension increases between 1980 and 1982. During his last five years as Taoiseach he gave tremendous leadership to a programme of national recovery involving the Social Partners.
"He established a very fruitful relationship with the then President of the European commission, Mr Jacques Delors, and ran a very successful Irish Presidency of the European Union in 1990, immediately following the peaceful revolutions in Eastern and Central Europe.
"He also established some of the initial contacts that laid the foundations of the current peace process.
"There are many other initiatives which he supported, for which he will be gratefully remembered; the Succession Act; the tax free status and pensions for artists; the promotion of a flourishing bloodstock industry; the network of regional airports; Temple Bar; the International Financial Services Centre; and the restoration of the Shannon-Erne Waterway; to name but a few.
"He had an immense ability to get things done and he inspired great loyalty amongst many of his followers both inside and outside Fianna Fáil. In recent times, these achievements have become clouded by the revelations that are the subject of inquiry by the Moriarty Tribunal.
"History will have to weigh up both the credit and the debit side more dispassionately than may be possible today but, I have no doubt its ultimate judgement on Mr Haughey will be a positive one.
"Over a long period now, Charles Haughey has faced one final battle, which he knew ultimately, he had to lose. He bore his illness with great dignity and fortitude, his fighting spirit evident to the end. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
