The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was among those who paid tribute yesterday to one of the State's longest-serving parliamentarians, Donegal senator Mr Paddy McGowan. He died at his home on Sunday night.
Mr Ahern joined other senior Fianna Fail members in praising Mr McGowan for his commitment to politics and to his constituents during 40 years in public life.
Mr McGowan, from Lifford, Co Donegal, was 73 and had been ill for some time. He was first elected to Donegal County Council in 1960 and had been a leading member of Fianna Fail in the county, representing the Finn Valley area.
His father was one of the founder members of Fianna Fail in Co Donegal. Mr McGowan was first elected to the Seanad in 1965 and was re-elected seven times. He once lost his seat in 1981, but regained it in the 1987 election. He was a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Health and Education.
He retired from Donegal County Council this year, but his son, Patrick, was elected this summer in his place. His niece, Alice Boner, was also elected to the council this year.
The Connacht/Ulster Fianna Fail MEP, Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, said Mr McGowan was known for his commitment to the people he represented and that he had worked very hard at cross-Border co-operation. "He ate, slept and drank politics all his life. He was so committed to his constituents."
Donegal South West TD Ms Mary Coughlan said he would be remembered as somebody who spoke his mind frankly. ail party. " Despite any arguments and disagreements about what was best, he always stuck by the party and the party leader," Ms Coughlan said.
The leader of the Seanad, Senator Donie Cassidy, described him as "the father of the Seanad "and as "a tremendous contributor" and "a forceful lobbyist". He added: "Donegal was very fortunate to have such a hard-working parliamentarian as Paddy McGowan."
The former chairman of Donegal County Council, Mr Danny Harkin, who split from Fianna Fail to join Mr Niall Blaney's Independent Fianna Fail, said Mr Mc Gowan had been responsible for many progressive motions put before the council. He was known for voicing strong views on Northern Ireland.
The Fianna Fail General Secretary, Mr Martin Mackin, said Mr McGowan "was synonymous with Fianna Fail in Donegal" and was central to its establishment there. The leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad, Mr Joe Costello, said Mr McGowan "always brought a unique and insightful viewpoint to Seanad debates".