Haughey was not the first Irish leader to live way beyond his means

CHARLES J HAUGHEY was the sixth of our retired leaders since the foundation of the State to die, and the real debate on his legacy is likely to begin today.

He was revered and reviled, loved and loathed. He leaves behind many positive accomplishments and dreadful failings.

On the positive side, for women and children there was the Succession Act, and free travel, free telephone rental and free television licences for the elderly, banning the advertising of tobacco more than two decades before the Americans or the British dared to make such a move, and securing legislation for the sale of contraceptives.