Ex Finance Minister Brian Lenihan Dies Aged 52

The funeral is taking place today (Tuesday) of former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, who has died after battling pancreatic cancer since December 2009.

The 52-year-old was Finance Minister at the time of his diagnosis, but continued to work in the incredibly demanding job right up until this year's election defeat in February.

Mr Lenihan oversaw negotiations with the EU/IMF/ECB for Ireland's rescue package last November, was responsible for the blanket bank guarantee in September 2008, and introduced some of the harshest budgets ever.

Yet, he remained popular with the Irish public, and was the only member of Fianna Fail in Dublin to retain their seat in this year's election.

He died at his home in West Dublin on Friday morning last, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Patricia, their two children, his mother, three brothers and one sister.

Brian Lenihan comes from one of Ireland's best known political dynasties - his father, also Brian, was a former Tanaiste, his aunt Mary O'Rourke, is another former minister and his brother Conor was a junior minister in the last government before losing his seat.

"It's all over. It's kind of unbelievable," said Mary O'Rourke on Friday.

"He always worked for his country and he worked for the best of Ireland. I suppose in the end what anybody in public life would wish to do, and that's what he did."

Hundreds of people signed books of condolences over the weekend, as the country remembered a man who fought his illness bravely, at a time when he was also fighting an impossible economic crisis for the country.

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

"Despite his illness, he faced up to those challenges with extraordinary but characteristic dignity, courage and good humor."

She said his death was a loss to public life in Ireland, and distressing for his family and political colleagues.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Mr Lenihan had been "exemplary in carrying out his public duties".

"I have known Brian Lenihan for many years, and I regarded him as a friend in politics. He exemplified a great sense of humanity the public representation he gave."

Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who appointed Lenihan as minister for finance when he took over from Bertie Ahern, also paid tribute.

"At the cabinet table, I saw first-hand how hard he worked and how committed he was to doing his utmost for Ireland," he said.

"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."

Current Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said "his unyielding determination to do his duty, in spite of a serious illness, was remarkable and inspirational".

"It was truly a profile in courage," he said.

Labour leader and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said, "Brian Lenihan was someone for whom I had tremendous regard, and at a personal level I always found him to be warm, good humored and convivial".

"Brian Lenihan was a strong and energetic Minister for Finance who acted patriotically to stabilize the public finances in the face of unprecedented pressures," said Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan.

Ollie Rhen, the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, said Lenihan "will always be held in the highest esteem by those who worked with him in Europe".