A DUP member of the Stormont Assembly has died suddenly.
Christopher Stalford, the principal deputy speaker of the Assembly and an MLA for South Belfast, passed away last night.
He was married to former dental nurse Laura with whom he had four children - Trinity, Oliver, Cameron and their youngest, Abigail, who was born in 2018.
The Taoiseach said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.
Micheál Martin said the politician "served the people of South Belfast diligently and with integrity, working tirelessly to improve housing and education".
Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said: "My sincere condolences to Christopher Stalford's family and friends on this very sad news.
"As MLA and principal deputy speaker, Christopher was passionate about crucial issues that affected people across Northern Ireland and was dedicated to building a better Northern Ireland for everyone."
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, both expressed their sympathies to the deceased's family.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson also paid tribute to the 39-year-old MLA, saying he was "born to be a public representative".
"I am deeply saddened to learn of Christopher's sudden death. He was not just an elected representative or a colleague, he was a friend," Mr Donaldson said in a statement.
"On behalf of the party, I express my sympathies to Laura and the wider Stalford family on the loss of a husband, father, son and brother.
"I talked at length with Christopher on Friday night. He was passionate about Northern Ireland and wanted the best for his constituents. I was never to know how precious that conversation was to be."
Sinn Féin's leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, extended the condolences of the party's Stormont Assembly team.
In a tweet she added: "I express my sincere sympathy to his wife Laura and their four children who are foremost in our thoughts this afternoon."
The SDLP cancelled has its spring party conference - due to have taken place in Co Derry this afternoon - as a mark of respect.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "Christopher and I knew each other for more than 20 years and this news has come as such a shock.
"This will be a difficult day for everyone who knew Christopher, particularly his colleagues and the wider DUP family."
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie said the death of Christopher Stalford was "absolutely tragic and shocking news which will be felt by every single person who worked at Stormont".
He added: "I worked with Christopher on many occasions and although we had differing political views we never traded an angry word. He was someone I liked, respected and who worked tirelessly for his community and country."
Alliance leader Naomi Long said it was hard to put into words her shock, sadness and devastation at Mr Stalford's passing.
She said that despite their politics being radically different they had "a warm, personal friendship".
She described him as a "genuine and funny person" who was dedicated to public service, and said her thoughts are with his family.
Mr Stalford was a well known spokesman for the DUP party.
He was elected as a Belfast City Councillor in 2005 to represent the Laganbank area and from 2014, represented the Balmoral area.
He was elected High Sheriff of Belfast in 2010 and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast in 2013/14.
In 2016, he was elected to represent Belfast South in the Northern Ireland Assembly and from January 2020 served as the Principal Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The DUP said the Stalford family have asked for privacy and do not wish to give any interviews at this time.
The funeral details will be made public in due course.
