Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I offer my deepest sympathy to the late Albert Reynolds's wife, Kathleen, and all of his family. It is important that we are remembering a father, a husband and a grandfather. One could clearly see on the day of the removal and the day of the burial the warmth and love for Albert the person. The first priority must be respect and extending our warmth and sympathy to Kathleen and the family.

On Albert Reynolds the politician, we live in a era in which many Ministers serve for long terms and we are told that things take time and that we have to be patient. Albert Reynolds never served for longer than three years in any role, yet he made a major impact in every ministry. He did not wait; he did not accept delays and he did not kick things down the road; he was a man of action and deeds. As Minister, he was responsible for the biggest overall of Ireland's telecommunications network, laying the groundwork for decades to come. He saw the introduction of bus lanes in Dublin, despite many of the authorities delaying over arguments on responsibility. He oversaw work on the Cork to Dublin gasline with his customary urgency and determination. As Taoiseach, he will always be remembered for his tough negotiating style, whether it was in the European Union, internationally or at home.

The Downing Street Declaration and the ceasefires of 1994 will remain as his outstanding achievements and greatest gift to the country. While he was a man who had strong views, he knew the people and the value of talking to people and laying aside baggage. He was not afraid to take a risk. It is easy to play it safe and look out for one's own career, but he did not do so. He took the risk and did what so many others had failed to do - he brought people to the negotiating table and earned the trust of many who were deeply suspicious of democratic politics.

Albert, as we all know, was not perfect and he never claimed to be. Whether in politics or business, he accepted that others disagreed with him. What he demanded was respect and acceptance that voters on any side were pure and he had the ability to look at all sides of an argument. Anyone who watched his funeral mass - I was present at it - could have been left in no doubt that his primary focus was his family. They were his priority. He was a father and a husband before anything else. He brought with him a sense of reality to politics. His business experience served him well and ensured he would not fall into the bubble that politics could create. There was always a life and interests outside politics for him. Perhaps his greatest legacy is that to win the respect of the people, one does not have to be eternally popular, one does not have to hold office for decades, rather one needs to be decisive and have the courage of one's own convictions. Whether one agreed or disagreed with Albert - I had a few political disagreements with him - there is no doubt that when he faced decisions, he took them and dealt with the consequences. To his wife, Kathleen, and his children, Miriam, Philip, Emer, Leonie, Abbie, Cathy and Andrea, and all of his grandchildren, I offer my sincere sympathy on behalf of the Technical Group.

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