Tributes have been paid in the Dáil to the late Charles Haughey.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said his passing was the end of an era and a very sad occasion.
He said while analysing his career, commentators would largely focus on his tenure as Taoiseach.
But, he said we should also recall that Charles Haughey was one of the most dynamic and talented government ministers ever to grace Leinster House.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described the former Taoiseach as 'a formidable opponent' and a 'gifted debater'.
Mr Kenny added that Mr Haughey 'was as respected abroad as he was controversial at home'.
The leader of the Opposition added: 'Charles Haughey was, in his time, an outstanding figure in Irish politics, in terms of intellect and ambition.'
Mr Kenny also revealed that it was his grandaunt who delivered Mr Haughey into the world in Castlebar 80 years ago.
Earlier, Mr Kenny said that throughout his political career he found Mr Haughey to be 'personally warm, engaging, thoughtful and courteous'.
Mr Kenny added that 'there will be other days to reflect on Mr Haughey, the politician. But today, the day of his death, I want to pay my respects to Charles Haughey the man: father, husband, grandfather, parliamentary colleague'.
On behalf of Fine Gael, Mr Kenny extended deep sympathy to Mr Haughey's family and friends. 'On this day, especially, I'm sure there are many people in Ireland, who hope as I do, that for all of us, there will be kindness at the end'.
The President, Mary McAleese, said it was with sadness that she learned of the death of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, President McAleese described Mr Haughey as a very proud Irishman who had great faith in his country's ability. She said he had wanted to see Ireland flourish.
President McAleese, who is currently on a visit to Lesotho in southern Africa, said she would be interrupting her visit in order to attend Mr Haughey's funeral.
She described Mr Haughey as a proud man of considerable ability, charm, wit and intelligence, a skilled parliamentarian and an innovative legislator.
The President said that 'over the long years of his dynamic career he weathered many storms and faced more than his share of drama and controversy'.
She said he had confronted his long illness with much dignity, grace and courage.
Ahern comments on 'passing of an era'
Earlier, the Taoiseach expressed great sadness on behalf of the Government and Fianna Fáil at the death of Mr Haughey.
Mr Ahern conveyed deepest sympathies to Mr Haughey's wife Maureen, his daughter Eimear, and his sons, Conor, Ciarán and Seán.
The Taoiseach said Mr Haughey's death marked the passing of an era and paid tribute to his impact on Irish life over a 35-year political career, saying he had served with distinction in every ministerial position that he held.
Mr Ahern said Mr Haughey's achievements had become clouded by revelations at the Moriarty Tribunal.
He said history will have to weigh up both the credit and debit side, but Mr Ahern said he had no doubt its ultimate judgement on Mr Haughey would be positive.
The Tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader, Mary Harney, expressed sympathies on behalf of her party to Maureen Haughey on the death of her husband.
Remembering Mr Haughey, she said that 'when he retired as Taoiseach in 1992, the Government he had led had set the foundations for the historic achievements of our country since then'.
In particular, Ms Harney highlighted the success of Ireland's International Financial Services Centre as 'a living tribute to his boldness and determination'.
Rabbitte remembers former Fianna Fáil leader
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte has also extended his sympathy to the Haughey family and to the Fianna Fáil party.
Mr Rabbitte said: 'Mr Haughey was a dominant figure in Irish politics for a period of almost four decades. He was at all times a hugely controversial figure who attracted great loyalty among his supporters and fierce opposition from his opponents.'
He paid tribute to 'a skilled parliamentarian and a genuinely reforming Minister for Justice and Minister for Social Welfare'.
The Labour leader added: 'Now is not the appropriate time for a full political assessment of the career of a man who has endured such a painful and debilitating illness in recent years.'
