Kenny praises a man of courage and humanity

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny praised Brian Lenihan’s courage in the battle with his illness, and said he had showed a great sense of humanity in carrying out his public duties.

Mr Kenny said the former finance minister had showed great fortitude while also working in the most challenging economic circumstances as a finance minister.

The Dublin West TD had been a friend, a colleague and somebody he was proud to know, Mr Kenny added.

He extended his deepest sympathies and those of the nation to the family of Mr Lenihan. “Brian Lenihan was exemplary in the carrying out of his public duties …he exemplified a great sense of humanity in the public representation that he gave both as minister for children, minister for justice and minister for finance.

“I’ve known Brian Lenihan for many years. I regarded him as a friend in politics. While we differed in areas of politics, obviously he was somebody that one could speak to on a very regular basis about political issues as they arose.”

Mr Kenny also referred to the fact that Mr Lenihan had come from a political dynasty, following his father, former tánaiste and minister Brian Lenihan Snr, and his grandfather, TD Patrick Lenihan.

“He exemplified a wonderful courage of an enormous extent in speaking publicly about the illness that he carried so courageously, about the difficulties that he was encountering personally dealing with that illness, which was cancer, and in carrying out his public duties in the most challenging economic circumstances for any minister for finance.”

Mr Kenny said the decisions on funeral arrangements and the possible involvement of the state would be left up to the Lenihan family to decide.

During a short break at the north-south ministerial council meeting, the North’s representatives also expressed their condolences on Mr Lenihan’s passing.

First Minister Peter Robinson said he had known Mr Lenihan for many years. “Each one of us, as we knew that his illness was progressing, couldn’t help but be impressed by the courage that he showed. He never sought any concession for his illness. He came and did a full day’s work and more. He was a good friend to Northern Ireland.”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said Mr Lenihan’s death was a sad occasion for everyone on the island.

“He was not just a good politician, he was an affable person, someone who was very inclusive, someone who was a character in his own right. We all admired the strength and great fortitude that he showed during the course of his great battle against illness.”

Tributes:

- Former Green Party leader John Gormley: “Brian Lenihan really worked around the clock. He upped his work rate because he had to. We were in the middle of this terrible crisis and he had to contend with all of these issues and things coming at him. When you’d ring Brian on a Sunday when you get a slight break, he would be working on his papers. That was the mark of the man. He had a sense of public duty.”

- SIPTU general president Jack O’Connor: “It was a testament to his courage and determination that he continued to apply himself unstintingly to his public role despite battling serious illness.”

- EU Innovation Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn: “His personal courage in the face of devastating health news while coping with very difficult economic news was exemplary. He never let up. He never let go. His commitment was total.”

- Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan: “Brian Lenihan was a strong and energetic minister for finance who acted patriotically to stabilise the state’s finances in the face of unprecedented pressures. His quick intellect and grasp of constitutional detail made it a pleasure to conduct professional dealings with him.”

- Social Protection Minister Joan Burton: “Not withstanding the political differences, which were there and were strong, we co-operated particularly in relation to local issues.

- Transport Minister Leo Varadkar: “Brian was held in deep affection by people across Dublin West, and right across Ireland. He always strove to do his best. His determination to continue as Minister for Finance while fighting a serious illness is a perfect example of his strength of character.”

- Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly: “Mr Lenihan demonstrated an unswerving and conscientious commitment to public life, a commitment informed by an acute intelligence and leavened by an often self-deprecating sense of humour.”

- European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn: “Brian displayed great strength and dedication to the public good during a period of exceptional economic challenge. Brian’s extraordinary personal and professional contribution have ensured that he is and will always be held in the highest esteem by those of us who worked with him.”

- Former Tánaiste Mary Harney: “His outstanding courage will be a source of pride and consolation.”