Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I express my deep sympathy to the wife and daughters of the late Seán Doherty on his unexpected death. My thoughts at this time are with his wife Maura and his daughters Rachel, Cara, Leah and Evelyn. Members of his family are with us in the House. He died just a few weeks short of his 61st birthday, and a few weeks after he buried his mother.

I express the sympathy of both the Government and the Fianna Fáil party. Seán was a proud and faithful member of Fianna Fáil most of his life. The Ceann Comhairle, Seán and I entered the Dáil on the same day 28 years ago. He came from a family with a long tradition of public service and political involvement in his native county of Roscommon. I know he was proud of what he achieved, and that his daughter Rachel is continuing in the family tradition of serving the public.

Seán held high political office as Minister for State at the Department of Justice from 1979 to 1981, not long after he entered the House. He served as Minister for Justice from March to September 1982 and as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad from November 1989 to January 1992. He also served as a member of Roscommon County Council for a long and distinguished period.

He was a politician with much experience and was a considerable and able parliamentarian, who was well able to express his point, argue his case and fight the cause of his constituents. He served as a member of the Committee of Public Accounts with distinction and was proud of the role he played, along with other members of the House, in the inquiry into the evasion of DIRT. He was tremendously satisfied by his involvement in that and found it fulfilling work. He, like others in the House, put in a huge amount of effort at that time.

In 2001 the Oireachtas Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport established a sub-committee under his chairmanship to investigate the costs of the overrun in the Iarnród Éireann signalling contract and again he put in a huge amount of effort. That inquiry sat for 235 hours over 26 full sitting days and served a useful purpose until it was abandoned in 2002 when a High Court judgment restricted the scope of all Oireachtas inquiries. Seán distinguished himself in the chair of that committee and was proud of that work.

He was a man of considerable ability and a strong personality. I knew Seán for the better part of 30 years. He inspired loyalty in his friends and the support of his constituents. Everyone who knew him in this House would testify that his company and conversation were sought and never dull. Some of the best fun in this House and its precincts was in Seán's company. He would fight and argue his case and also knock some good fun out of public life.

After a promising career in the Garda Síochána he entered politics and enjoyed a career that had its full share of controversy and he was seldom far from the centre of events. He well articulated his take on that. Any politician who reaches a senior position is never removed from controversy. I would like to think that Seán will be remembered for his dedicated service, work and achievements as a parliamentarian rather than the controversies with which he brushed.

In later years, Seán was a man of renewed and deep religious belief. His faith was an important part of his life. He gave me lectures on that on a few occasions. Like everyone in public life Seán will be subject to the judgment of human history. What really mattered to him, however, was the divine judgment to which he has now been called. Unlike human history, that judgment is not based on a few public events but on a total knowledge that history can never have. Seán trusted that it would be a merciful judgment, and I believe he was right.

I have many fond memories, having travelled with Seán and spent the better part of three weeks in Australia with him and some other Members of this House in my earlier years. I will never forget him and the fact that he reminded me that there was another side to life that could have some entertainment, enjoyment and a bit of controversy as well. I pay tribute to Seán as a colleague and a friend for 30 years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On my behalf and on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I join the Taoiseach in expressing our sincere sympathy and condolences to the Fianna Fáil Party, to Seán Doherty's wife, Maura, and to Rachel, Cara, Leah and Evelyn. I was in Washington when I heard of the news of the death of Seán Doherty and, unfortunately, was not in a position to attend his funeral.

I knew Seán Doherty throughout his political career, from his entrance through Kildare Street in 1977 until he left this House. In that span I knew him in three different ways — as an Opposition Deputy, as the chairman of the Western Health Board and as a member of the Opposition when I had the honour of serving as a Minister. By today's standards Seán Doherty was a relatively young man. I suppose when one gets into that category or generation, one reflects upon times past, activities in politics and Seán's achievements, both in his personal life and in a political sense.

This is an occasion to pass sympathy to his family and the party to which Seán Doherty gave his allegiance. He was a father, husband and friend. During his ministerial career he was central to many of the controversial issues in Irish political life but it is not for me, on an occasion such as this, to pass judgment on the reasons for political decisions or on the trend in politics during that time. Seán Doherty was a man of rapier wit and sharp intelligence and somebody who could more than hold his own in any company and in any conversation on a wide range of topics.

I recall his boyish glee on many occasions when he was chairman of the Western Health Board. He faced many intractable problems dealing with clinics, hospitals, consultants and all the other medical requirements, of which the Tánaiste is well aware, in County Roscommon. When those arguments ended up in a cul-de-sac, he would announce proudly to the meeting that Roscommon also had a Minister of State in the Department of Health, and the hapless Minister of State, the then Deputy Leyden, would be called to the next meeting to account for his failures to deliver on all the promises. Time and again, be it in Castlerea, Ballinasloe, Galway or Castlebar, the Minister of State would arrive to attempt to answer those intractable questions.

Seán was also a member of Roscommon County Council from 1973 to 1991. He was chairman of the health board, chairman of the Midlands Regional Tourism Organisation and a member of the Roscommon Archaeological and Historical Society. He was proud of his achievements on the Committee of Public Accounts. He took a delight in being the inquisitor of many of the people who had to appear before that committee and was proud, in a public sense, of the achievements of extracting the truth about many financial issues of the day.

Seán was somebody who could also abide by the rule of politics — never to agree when one should not. I learned that lesson to my own cost in 1986. As a Minister of State at the then Department of Education I had the privilege of opening the Ballinlough football pitch in Peadar Earley Park where the addresses of welcome were given by all and sundry. The late Seán Doherty's speech, given with a twinkle in his eye, was about the disgraceful conduct of the Government in putting rates on GAA buildings, VAT on hurleys and so on. When it was over he said to me, "You know yourself. You are in Roscommon and these are my crowd". His crowd returned him repeatedly through the secrecy of the ballot box to represent them and, irrespective of people's views of Seán Doherty as a man and as a politician, one cannot argue with the verdict the people gave time and again.

I offer my sympathy to Maura and to Seán's family who are in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. The people who loved Seán Doherty supported him for the man they saw him to be and were happy to support him in that context. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis, agus tá súil agam gur ar dheis Dé a bhéas sé as seo amach sna Flaithis.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I was very sorry to learn of the untimely death of Seán Doherty. On my behalf and on behalf of the Labour Party, I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Kenny in extending our condolences, in particular to his wife, Maura and to his four daughters.

It could be said that Seán Doherty's political life was a game of two halves. I only played the second half with him and am bound to say that I enjoyed every minute of it. He was a controversial Minister and, as Deputy Kenny said, this is not the occasion to trace the history of that time from which the smoke has not yet entirely cleared and will not for some time. During my experience with him as a colleague in this House and as somebody who served on both inquiries to which the Taoiseach referred, the DIRT and the mini-CTC inquiries, he was a most enjoyable colleague, a most informed and able parliamentarian, immensely quick-witted and humorous and made the long hours tolerable for the rest of us. He was also a very hard working and diligent local Deputy and the affection with which he was held by his local constituents was remarkable.

I remember occasions such as those to which Deputy Kenny referred. I remember being in Hyde Park at the time Roscommon Hospital first came under pressure. Seán Doherty was able to tell the people that since he had access to the Minister of State at the then Department of Health, unlike them he would be glad to use it and he would use it in advocating the case of the hospital. Whatever other implications that might have had, I am sure he did both of these things. On behalf of the Labour Party and myself I again offer our most sincere sympathy to Seán's wife, Maura, and her family.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I, too, join the Taoiseach, Deputy Kenny and Deputy Rabbitte in offering my sympathy and that of the Progressive Democrats to the family of the late Seán Doherty, particularly to his wife, Maura, and his four daughters. Seán Doherty entered this House in 1977. I came into a different House in these precincts in the same year. He was somebody I knew quite well. We crossed swords on a number of occasions in the early 1980s but he was somebody whose company I enjoyed.

The last time I had a long discussion with him, he spoke about his religious beliefs. It was hard to believe I was talking to the same man I used to debate with a number of years earlier. He was often described as "born again". While I do not know if that is the appropriate phrase or whether he would wish to be described in those terms, he was passionate about his religion in recent years.

He probably enjoyed his time on the DIRT inquiry more than any other period in his political life — he thoroughly enjoyed it. As Deputy Rabbitte acknowledged, he worked extraordinarily hard on that committee. He was proud that his daughter Rachel will continue the political tradition in his family which was very important to him.

His relationship with Senator Leyden, who is present in the House, was interesting. There are often interesting relationships between constituency colleagues. Theirs was particularly interesting if half the stories I have heard from Roscommon are true, never mind all of them.

To die at the age of 61, only a few years after he retired from this House, was untimely. I know how much he wanted to enjoy retirement with his wife, Maura, and his family in his native county. I hope he is happy. May he rest in peace. He will be long remembered by many in Leinster House.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I join other party leaders in expressing deep sympathy on the death of Seán Doherty to his wife, Maura, daughters, Rachel, Cara, Leah and Evelyn, and the Taoiseach and the Fianna Fáil Party. I always knew Seán Doherty as a real gentleman. I only came to know him after he had come through a number of political storms but, for all that, he was a man who took the lessons of life on the chin and moved on, learned from them and was a better man than many on account of that. He was always good humoured and generous with his time. While I speak from a different political point of view, that did not create a barrier for Seán. He was always courteous and one got the impression he definitely did not talk to somebody for any kind of political advantage, but because he respected the humanity of the other person.

This explains much of his popularity. He had an infectious, gregarious spirit that left an air of good humour wherever he went. I got a flavour of this in Carrick-on-Shannon when I was fortunate enough to be part of a cross-party delegation Seán led to speak with different community groups affected by flooding on the River Shannon. All along the Shannon, Seán held court with the rest of the delegation, meeting different angling, community and residents groups that had been affected by the flooding. However, when it came to Carrick-on-Shannon and his own area of the beautiful region of Roscommon and Leitrim, Seán came into his own. He made sure to impress on anybody visiting that if this visit was for work, they should make sure to come back for pleasure, because it was obviously a place they would enjoy on a holiday. I am glad to say I took him up on that advice; I visited the area last year and hope to do so again this year.

He was a great advocate for his area. That characteristic twinkle in the eye also made him a great advocate for his faith, as the Tánaiste noted. I encountered that passion he had, which he was never shy to discuss. I enjoyed many quite deep theological chats with him. It was something he really enjoyed, as did I. We used to pray together. With that in mind, he has been taken from us at too young an age. However, for some reason, I do not feel the sense that he is in a strange place. I think he is very much at home and embarking still on that path of fulfilment he embarked upon on this earth. I will always remember him as a great family man, a great man of faith and somebody whose company I will genuinely miss.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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On behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies, I extend our sympathy to the wife and daughters of the late former Deputy, Seán Doherty, and to the other members of the Doherty family on their great personal loss. I also extend our sympathy to his friends in the Fianna Fáil Party. While I had the opportunity to speak with Seán Doherty on a number of occasions, uniquely among those who have spoken here, I was not confronted by his ardent faith — I can only conclude he must have given up on me before he set upon it.

The many kind words said of him are true, in my experience of meeting him over the short period of our acquaintance in these corridors. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Michael Finneran (Longford-Roscommon, Fianna Fail)
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I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of the untimely death of my good friend and fellow county man, Seán Doherty. I extend my deep sympathy to his wife, Maura, and daughters, Councillor Rachel Doherty, Cara, Leah and Evelyn, and to the extended Doherty family.

Seán Doherty was a political and personal friend of mine for more than 20 years. I had the privilege to serve with him on Roscommon County Council and we were both elected to Seanad Éireann on the administrative panel in 1989. Seán was elected as Cathaoirleach that year. He had served as a Dáil Deputy for Roscommon since 1977. As has been said, during his tenure in the Dáil, Seán served as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice and was appointed Minister for Justice, serving until September 1982. In 1992, Seán was re-elected to Dáil Éireann and served for a further ten years until his retirement from politics in 2002. I had the privilege of retaining Seán's seat in Dáil Éireann in the general election of that year.

Seán Doherty was a stalwart in Fianna Fáil. He served the people of Roscommon with distinction. He had an innate ability to politically weigh up any given situation and respond appropriately, with wit and humour and a tremendous turn of phrase that was uplifting for his supporters and unsettling for his opponents. The people of Roscommon will have very fond memories of Seán Doherty and all there will miss him sadly. His wife, family and extended family will miss him most. We in the Fianna Fáil Party in County Roscommon miss him greatly. At meetings all through the county in recent weeks, tributes have been paid and meetings adjourned and cancelled in honour of Seán Doherty. May he rest in peace.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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It was with shock and sadness that I learned of the untimely death of my former constituency colleague, former Deputy Seán Doherty. Seán was a political legend in County Roscommon, where he was the last Cabinet Minister from the county. While people will remember many aspects of Seán's life — the Taoiseach outlined his career on the national stage — many more will remember Seán throughout County Roscommon as an effective, efficient and capable constituency Deputy over his long political career.

This is evidenced by the fact that he is one of only two public representatives, in my recollection, who were re-elected to Dáil Éireann after losing their seats in County Roscommon. One was Seán Doherty, the other was his political adversary and my former colleague, John Connor. Those who knew him personally will remember him for his extreme wit and good humour, as someone who could always see the lighter side of life even when times were difficult in his life and his political career.

As someone who grew up in a political family, in the political cockpit that was County Roscommon during the 1980s, I knew Seán well. Most of all he was someone who idolised his family and he will be an immense loss as a husband, father and grandfather. On my behalf and on behalf of my family and the Fine Gael Party organisation in counties Roscommon, Leitrim, Galway and Longford, the areas he represented over his long political career, I express my sincere sympathy to Seán's wife Maura, his daughters Evelyn, Leah, Cara and Rachel and his grandchildren whom he adored, and to the extended Doherty family. May he rest in peace.

John Ellis (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I also express my sincere sympathy with Seán's wife Maura, his daughters Rachel, Leah, Cara and Evelyn, his brothers Kevin and Colm and his sisters Ann, Maria and Philomena.

Seán Doherty and I stood for election together in 1977 and during that election I probably learned more from him about politics than I have learned since. As times changed and we moved on, we became extremely close friends in political and social life. Over the past three years all of us who sat at the round table inside the door in the restaurant often commented that the wit and sharpness of Seán Doherty was missed. It was missed by all his friends and colleagues who sat there on a regular basis.

When we look back on Seán Doherty's career we see someone who served the people of Roscommon and, in his early days, the people of south Leitrim and Roscommon, with unbelievable tenacity. When he got something into his head the idea could not be dislodged. He left his greatest monument when he persuaded a number of us to become actively involved in the Shannon-Erne corridor, which, as far as the people of Roscommon, south Leitrim and Longford are concerned, is the monument to Seán Doherty.

In the passing of Seán Doherty a political legend has left the scene. We were all shocked when told that he had suffered a severe stroke. When I heard it I could not believe it. I extend my sincere sympathy, that of my family, and that of the people of south Leitrim, whom he had the honour to represent from 1977 to 1981. I know he is above, having a wry smile at every one of us, saying that they are arguing down there over things of little importance as far as the world is concerned. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm.