The untimely death last week of Brian Lenihan, aged only 52, has left Ireland a poorer place, as we’ve lost one of our most patriotric public servants.  Brian (he always insisted on being called by his first name) showed everyone what politics should be about – duty, passion and a determination to always put country before personal and party concerns.

Brian was proud to be an Irish man, and the outpouring of affection over the last few days shows how proud his fellow country men and women are of him.

On behalf of myself and my Fianna Fáil colleagues in Wicklow I would like to extend our sincerely coldolances to his family and friends