President Michael D Higgins says Albert Reynolds will be remembered as a leader with courage. Tributes are being paid to former Taoiseach, who has died aged 81.
The politician, who was born in Rooskey in Co Roscommon, had been battling Alzheimers in recent years.
He led the Fianna Fáil party in two coalition governments.
He served as Taoiseach for just under three years. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, two sons and five daughters
Mr Reynolds was involved in dancehalls, showbands and pet food before becoming a politician.
But his fascination with politics came about in part from the 'Arms Trial' of Charles Haughey and he appeared on the national stage in 1977, as a Longford-Westmeath TD.
He later went on to hold several ministries including Post and Telegraphs, Industry and Commerce as well as Finance.
Michael D Higgins (right) with Albert Reynolds (left) at the new government's first Cabinet meeting in 1993
In a statement President Higgins said, "Albert Reynolds will be remembered as a most dynamic Cabinet Minister and a Taoiseach with courage, who made a very important contribution to the dialogue which led to the Northern Ireland peace process."
"When I served in cabinet with him, I found him to be very supportive of many of the cultural initiatives which I introduced. I recall his great courtesy and relaxed manner in all our dealings on various issues. He was also a successful businessman and continually used his business contacts in his work on Northern Ireland."
"Former Taoiseach Reynolds was committed to serving the people of Ireland with all of his energy. It is appropriate that we pay tribute to his significant contribution to our contemporary society," Mr Higgins added.
In Pictures: The life of Albert Reynolds
Career as Taoiseach
When Charles Haughey resigned in February 1992, Mr Reynolds became Taoiseach.
That Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition later collapsed over the Beef Tribunal and Mr Reynolds lost nine TDs in the election.
But he negotiated a new government with Labour and was re-appointed Taoiseach.
Mr Reynolds played an instrumental part in the Northern Irish peace process. He opened up channels of communication with the Republicans and Loyalists. The Downing Street Declaration and IRA ceasefire followed.
UK Prime Minister John Major (left) shakes hands with Albert Reynolds during a 1993 Anglo-Irish Summit in Dublin | Image: Photocall
However his coalition with Labour was in trouble, finally coming to breaking point over an extradition case and the appointment of the then Attorney-General as president of the High Court.
He suddenly found himself forced to resign in November 1994.
A later bid for the Presidency was unsuccessful, after the majority of his party backed Mary McAleese. He retired from politics at the 2002 general election after 25 years as a TD.
In 2009, Albert Reynolds spoke in Ballymote, Co Sligo on his legacy.
These people in Longford town have been telling Shannonside FM about their memories of Albert Reynolds.
Tributes
Politicians have also been paying tribute to Mr Reynolds.
In a statement, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny said "Albert Reynolds brought an energy and drive to the development of business and economic growth during his tenure in office as Minister for Industry and as Minister for Finance."
"As Taoiseach he played an important part in bringing together differing strands of political opinion in Northern Ireland and as a consequence made an important contribution to the development of the peace process which eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement," he added.
Bertie Ahern - who succeeded Mr Reynolds as Taoiseach in 1994 - has praised him for modernising the country. He spoke to the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk.
Former Labour leader and minister Ruairí Quinn told Newstalk Lunchtime that Albert Reynolds had a clear focus.
Former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Newstalk Breakfast earlier that that Albert Reynolds had a steely determination and took risks when others would not.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams praised the former Taoiseach's work in the North.
Originally published 7:20am
