Bruton, Noonan add to Mitchell tributes

John Bruton has said Jim Mitchell's most outstanding personal characteristics were his energy and devotion to the Fine Gael party.

The former Taoiseach said Mr Mitchell also helped bring about the establishment of An Post and Telecom Eireann as independent entities, as well as setting out a programme of action for accountability in Irish politics.

Former Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan said Mr Mitchell's death was a great loss to Ireland, but an even greater loss to his wife and family.

He said: "Jim will be rightly remembered as an outstanding TD, an excellent Minister, a Lord Mayor who brought new life to the Mansion House, a ground breaking Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and a dedicated and accomplished Deputy Leader of Fine Gael.

"I will also remember the Jim who was so warm and supportive, so witty in company, so idealistic in his beliefs and so composed and brave in his final illness."