Cowen: Lenihan's contribution will be 'appreciated in time'

Mr Lenihan, remembered as a decent man and a dedicated and extraordinary public servant, died at his home in west Dublin in the early hours of this morning.

He was 52.

“As minister for finance, Brian had to confront challenges, the scale and gravity of which were unprecedented in the history of the state,” the President said.

The Taoiseach said: “Throughout his political career, Brian Lenihan displayed huge commitment to public service and carried out his responsibilities with integrity and compassion.

“During his illness, which he fought with serenity, he courageously continued to fully perform his ministerial responsibilities in the most challenging and difficult circumstances.”

Mr Lenihan had been suffering from inoperable pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment while finance minister in 2009 and 2010. He always insisted it would not deflect from his work.

Political colleagues and opponents praised his intellect, strength and commitment to steering the economy through the deepest economic crisis in Irish history in the face of such personal trauma.

Mr Lenihan, from a staunch Fianna Fail dynasty, entered the Dáil in 1996 after winning the Dublin West seat left empty following the death of his father Brian, also a former minister. He retained that seat in the general election in February despite the ruinous collapse of his Fianna Fáil party.

His aunt Mary O’Rourke, a former TD and senator, praised her nephew’s work in government.

“He always worked for his country and he worked for the best of Ireland – in the end what anybody in public life would wish to do, and that’s what he did,” she told RTE Radio.

“I just feel my life has almost ended,”

Funeral arrangements are to be announced later. Mr Lenihan is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Tom and daughter Claire as well as his mother Ann, brothers Conor, Niall and Paul, and his sister Anita.

His career in politics included roles as children’s minister in 2002, justice in 2007 and finance the following year.

While highly regarded for his capacity to grasp the complexities of the fiscal crisis, Mr Lenihan’s legacy will be tied to the September 2008 €400bn bank guarantee struck in the middle of the night to protect Irish banks.

Ultimately that lumbered the Irish state with a crippling €70bn banking debt and sparked a budget deficit leading to an €85bn bailout loan.

Former taoisigh under which Mr Lenihan served, Brian Cowen and Bertie Ahern, praised his decency, ability and commitment.

Mr Ahern said he was a politician of outstanding capabilities and compassion, colourful and extraordinarily clever.

“He did immense work on behalf of the people of this country as a minister and his loss is a huge one for Irish politics,” Mr Ahern said.

“He had to contend with huge difficulties but he was equal to the challenge and did a very fine job.”

Mr Cowen said: “At the Cabinet table, I saw at first-hand how hard he worked and how committed he was to doing his utmost for Ireland.

“He made an immense contribution to dealing with the problems the country has faced and I believe that this will be appreciated all the more in time. His commitment and application to his duties never faltered at any time.”

The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “His positive approach to his illness at the same time as dealing with the difficult circumstances faced by the Irish economy was remarkable and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

“He was a patriotic Irishman doing the best for his country in difficult circumstances.”

Those sentiments were echoed across Europe with Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn saying it was an honour to know Mr Lenihan.

“Brian’s extraordinary personal and professional contribution have ensured that he is and will always be held in the highest esteem by those of us who worked with him in Europe,” Mr Rehn said.

Reports that Mr Lenihan was being treated for cancer emerged during Christmas 2009 and the following month he gave a frank interview discussing the extent of the illness and treatment but insisting he was fit enough to continue in office.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, who was in Dublin for the North South Ministerial Council, described Mr Lenihan as a personal friend who helped out the north several times.

“He was a good friend to Northern Ireland,” Mr Robinson said.

The DUP leader said all who knew Mr Lenihan could not help but be impressed by his courage battling cancer.

“He never sought any concession for his illness, he came and did a full day’s work and more,” he said.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said everybody admired Mr Lenihan’s strength and fortitude battling cancer.

“He was not just a good politician, he was a very affable person, someone who was very inclusive and someone who was a character in his own right,” he said.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said: “Brian was a man who was very popular across the political divide and was much loved in his constituency and across the state.”

The SIPTU President Jack O'Connor said the former Finance Minister was a highly intelligent person possessing immense political skill.

He said while SIPTU did not agree with the approach adopted by Mr Lenihan, they always appreciated his integrity of purpose, application and commitment to the interests of the people of Ireland.

Mr O'Connor also said it was a testament to his courage and determination that he continued to apply himself unstintingly to his public role despite battling serious illness.