Cowen pays tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has today paid tribute to US Senator Edward Kennedy, who died overnight following a battle with a brain tumour.

The Kennedy family announced the death in a brief statement this morning.

Edward Kennedy was the younger brother of former President John F Kennedy and former Senator Robert Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated in the 1960s.

He was first elected to the Senate in 1962 and was an influential liberal voice on issues like healthcare, civil rights and war.

He also maintained a keen interest in the North's peace process and had a particularly close relationship with Co Wexford, where his family originally came from.

In the early stages of the Troubles, he was an outspoken proponent of a united Ireland, but later became a strong supporter of the Good Friday Agreement.

In his tribute this morning, Mr Cowen described Mr Kennedy as one of the most distinguished and talented figures in American politics.

He said the US had lost a great and respected statesman and Ireland had lost a long-standing and true friend.

Mr Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2008 and had successful surgery, but his health deteriorated and he suffered a seizure in January.

His death comes just weeks after that of his older sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died on August 11.