Ahern: FitzGerald 'put people before politics'

Bertie Ahern has said Garret FitzGerald was "never partisan or tribal" in his politics, and "truly did put people before politics".

"I was only starting off in politics at a time when Garret was taking over as leader of his party, but he was always approachable and friendly in those days and that never changed," said Mr Ahern.

"Garret was never partisan or tribal. He truly did put people before politics. Fine Gael were his party, but he recognised that no group individual had a monopoly of wisdom. When he agreed with other parties, he was supportive and helpful.

"Garret cared deeply about peace on our island. He was generous in his advice and vocal in his encouragement of my efforts to secure what became the Good Friday Agreement and then to get it implemented.

"Garret was also a true European and I believe the European integration project was one of his abiding passions in public life."

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has described Dr FitzGerald's "significant legacy" as spanning much of Irish public life, including the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman in 1980.

Ms O'Reilly praised "his simple, practical patriotism, a love of country that showed itself in his committed and focused engagement with the difficult issues of the day right up until his recent illness".