President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to former Labour Party TD, Minister of State and Lord Mayor of Cork Toddy O'Sullivan following his death at the age of 87.
In a statement, President Higgins said Mr O'Sullivan will be remembered for "his warm humour, and a volatility fuelled from his sense of decency and needed reform."
He described him "as one of the most warm-hearted members of the Oireachtas.
"He loved Cork in all its dimensions, be it history, politics, sport or personality."
President Higgins said Toddy O'Sullivan was a great friend of the late Frank Cluskey, and "during Frank’s final illness, Toddy never went back to Cork without visiting him.
"All of us who were members of the Federated Workers’ Union of Ireland (F.W.U.I.) can recall what a principled trade unionist he was."
President Higgins also said that as a TD and as a Minister of State Toddy made a "fine contribution".
"He did so also as Lord Mayor of Cork - a personal highlight for him during a lifetime in local representation.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was 'deeply saddened' to learned of Mr O'Sullivan's passing.
"As a Minister of State, TD, Lord Mayor and City Councillor, he served his city and his country with passion, integrity, dignity, and total commitment throughout his life," Mr Martin said.
"From my early days serving on Cork City Council in 1985, Toddy was a mentor and friend in politics.
"He understood the importance of a cross-party approach for the benefit of the people."
Labour Party leader Alan Kelly also paid tribute to Mr O'Sullivan who served for 16 years as a TD in Cork North and South Central and for five years as a junior minister. He also served as Lord Mayor of the city from 1980 to 1981.
Deputy Kelly said that Toddy O'Sullivan was a "stalwart" of the Labour Party for many decades and a great supporter of his.
"He lived a long and successful life, and I am very sad to learn of his passing. I regularly sought his counsel, and he will be greatly missed by all those who worked closely with him over many years.
"As a student in UCC I got to know him very well and he was an inspiration to be around, having a deep knowledge and love for his constituents, his party and supporters. I recall many enjoyable visits to his home in the Lough down the years, and he was always so welcoming, and willing to pass on advice and support.
"The last time I called to him was at the outset of the leadership contest early last year. Cork has lost a true gentleman, and someone who always worked hard for his city," he added.
Deputy Kelly said starting from a low electoral base, Toddy worked assiduously to build the Labour Party in Cork.
"Between the local elections of 1974 and 1979 he more than doubled his first preference vote to 1,199 in the South West ward of Cork Corporation," he added.
"He went on to serve as a very successful Lord Mayor of the city he loved in 1980. A staunch trade unionist, he was always on hand to support his colleagues in the Post Office Workers Union and was rooted in his community in the Barrack Street area in the south inner city."
Mr O'Sullivan first stood for the Dáil in the 1979 Cork City by-election, doubling the Labour vote from 10.2% to 22.6%.
He went on to top the poll in 1981 winning a seat in Cork North Central and was returned to the Dáil a further five times, switching to Cork South-Central in 1987. He went on to be elected Chair of the Parliamentary Party in 1989.
In the Dáil, he served twice as a Minister of State, first in the Department of the Environment, and during the Rainbow government in the Department of Tourism and Trade.
Deputy Kelly added that Mr O'Sullivan was a "loyal servant" of the Labour Party.
"Even after losing his seat in 1997, he went on to contest the 1998 by-election. Toddy leaves behind a distinguished record of service, nationally and locally, and will continue to be an inspiration to future generations of Labour activists in Cork.
"On behalf of the Labour Party I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, supporters and local community," he added.
