Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar son Rialtas na hÉireann, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh faoi bhás Gay Byrne, an craoltóir ba mhó tionchar i stair an Stáit. Bhí ardmheas agus gnaoi ag an bpobal air mar chraoltóir a chuir feabhas ar an saol agus ar sochaí na hÉireann i slite éagsúla. Ar an raidió agus ar an teilifís, thug sé guth ard do na daoine a cuireadh ina dtost roimhe sin. Bhí sé ina údar iontach athruithe a chur go mór lenár sochaí.

On behalf of the Government, I offer condolences to the family of Gay Byrne and express our deep sadness on learning of his death. Gay Byrne was the most influential broadcaster in the history of the State, and a much loved figure who changed Ireland for the better in many ways. Gay had a central place in Irish homes for many decades on both radio and television. The story of his remarkable contribution to Irish life is the story of how we changed and evolved for the better as a nation over the past 60 years. A consummate entertainer, he also provided an outlet for all of those who had been silenced or were afraid to speak up.

He enabled us to confront things that needed to be challenged in our society. Many things did not exist or were not talked about in Ireland before "The Late Late Show", but it is good that they were talked about.

As chairman of the Road Safety Authority for almost a decade, Gay Byrne spoke with feeling and understanding about the tragedy of road deaths. When I was Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I reappointed him to this role because I saw how his campaigning helped to save many lives. I found him to be a wonderful, truly public-spirited person who undertook his responsibilities at the Road Safety Authority with the utmost seriousness and concern. He also spoke up for the whistleblowers who exposed the abuse of the penalty points system, thereby helping to bring about change in that system.

For generations of Irish people, he was "Uncle Gaybo", a welcome presence in every home and someone who led change because he listened and he cared. We have lost a change-maker and a force for good. Today a national treasure is gone. I offer my condolences to his wife, Kathleen Watkins, to his daughters and grandchildren, family and friends, and to all who mourn his passing.

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