Former Fianna Fáil minister John Wilson has died just one day after his 84th birthday.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern paid tribute to the former Tánaiste, saying 'I regret the passing of a loyal friend, a wise colleague and a man who used his abundant ability in the service of his country.'
The acting leader of the Progressive Democrats and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, also paid tribute to the late classics scholar.
Ms Harney said he was a very bright and very well read man, and that he had a very distinguished political career and was well liked on all sides of the House.
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin also offered his sympathy, saying in all of his dealings with John Wilson, 'I found him to be open and accessible and always courteous.'
John Wilson was first elected to the Dáil for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency in 1973 and held a variety of ministerial portfolios during his political career.
Born in Co Cavan on 8 July 1923, Mr Wilson was educated at St Mel's College, Longford, University of London and the National University of Ireland.
The Mullahoran man was a secondary school teacher at Gonzaga College in Dublin and also a university lecturer.
He was also a footballer for his native county and won two All-Ireland Medals and five Ulster Football Championship medals.
One of those All-Ireland medals was won at the famous 1947 final played in the Polo Grounds in New York.
Mr Wilson was a member of the ASTI and a past president of that association.
A witty orator and a classics scholar, he was a popular TD and advocated strongly republican sentiments throughout his time in Leinster House.
During his time in England, he had joined the British Labour Party.
Elected to the Dáil at the first attempt in 1973, Mr Wilson was re-elected at each subsequent election until 1992 when he retired.
His seat was held by Brendan Smith, his former assistant, and his nephew Diarmuid Wilson is currently a Senator.
Appointed by Jack Lynch to the frontbench on his first day in the Dáil, Mr Wilson remained on the front bench until he retired from Dáil Éireann.
He supported George Colley in the 1979 leadership contest, but retained Cabinet rank under Charles Haughey and supported him in the contests in the early 1980s.
He challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil nomination for the 1990 Presidential Election.
After Mr Lenihan was sacked, he succeeded him as Tánaiste.
In June 1998, the Government appointed him Victims' Commissioner.
His role in this context was to conduct a review of the services and arrangements in place in this jurisdiction to meet the needs of those who have suffered as a result of violent action arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The Commissioner published his report 'A Place and A Name' in August 1999.
In May 1999, the Government appointed Mr Wilson as a member of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains to assist in locating the whereabouts of nine missing persons killed by the IRA in the 1970s.
John Wilson's Ministerial Career
Minister for Education: 1977-81
Minister for Transport and Minister for Posts & Telegraphs: March-Dec 1982
Minister for Communications: March 1987
Minister for Tourism and Transport: 1987-89
Minister for the Marine: 1989-92
Tánaiste: 1990-92
Minister for Defence: February 1992 to January 1993
