The Labour Party TD for South Tipperary, Michael Ferris, has died. Mr Ferris, who was 68, is believed to have suffered a heart attack while in Lisbon, Portugal attending pre EU-summit meetings.
Deputy Ferris – who was Vice-Chairman of the Labour Party in the early 1980's - was first elected to the Dáil in 1989. He served on a number of committees including the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of which he was Chairman for a time. Most recently, Deputy Ferris sat on the committee for Sport, Tourism and recreation. He is survived by wife Ellen, four sons and two daughters.
The leader of the Labour Party, Ruairí Quinn has expressed his deep shock and sadness at the death. Deputy Quinn said that Michael Ferris would be deeply missed by all his colleagues and friends in the Labour Party and by his constituents in Tipperary South whom he served with great distinction for many years.
The Taoiseach in a tribute said Michael Ferris was a dedicated public representative and a diligent and hardworking parliamentarian. He expressed deepest sympathy to his wife and family. The Tanáiste described him as a TD of great stature with a warm and generous disposition and said he would be missed by all who knew him. The Fine Gael leader, John Bruton, said his death would be a terrible loss to the people of Tipperary South.
