Micheál Martin: Lenihan an outstanding public representative

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has described Brian Lenihan as "an intellectual powerhouse, but he wore his learning lightly".

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and friend Brian Lenihan…(He) fought a brave and courageous battle with a serious illness over the past 18 months," said Mr Martin.

"In all of this time, Brian never once flinched from his public duties and he showed an unceasing and untiring commitment to tackling the economic crisis facing this country.

"Brian Lenihan was undoubtedly an outstanding public representative of this generation."

Of Mr Lenihan's tenure as Minisyer for Finance, Mr Martin said: "Brian faced events at a scale and a pace of magnitude that no other Irish Minister has ever previously had to contend. He rose to this unprecedented challenge and he never complained. His performance characterised grace under pressure."

Mr Lenihan is survived by his wife Patricia, son Tom, daughter Claire, mother Ann Lenihan, brother Conor, Niall and Paul and sister Anita.