Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds has died at the age of 81.
Albert Reynolds served as Taoiseach for just under three years - one of the shortest ever terms.
But he made an enduring contribution to Ireland with his peace initiative which helped to end 25 years of violence on this island.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen, two sons and five daughters.
Mr Reynolds was a Fianna Fáil stalwart, leading the party in two coalition governments.
For him his most important political contribution was his work on the peace process.
He was born in Rooskey in Co Roscommon and before entering politics was involved in the dance hall and pet food businesses.
He was elected a TD for Longford Westmeath in 1977 at the age of 45 - it was the election made famous by the party's manfiesto, which was full of sweetners.
Two years later he was a key member of the the backbench group which helped topple the Taoiseach Jack Lynch.
He was rewarded by Charlie Haughey who appointed him as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
In the 1980s he became the Minister for Finance but his intense dislike for being in coalition with the PDs added to cooling in his relations with Mr Haughey who portrayed Albert Reynolds as being part of the Country and Western wing of the party. It was was image seemingly not dismissed by him.
The economy showed more signs of moving out of recession during his time in finance but he was dramatically sacked from cabinet after supporting an abortive attempt to remove Mr Haughey in late 1991.
Three months later Albert Reynolds finally got the top job was Haughey was ousted.
Immediately he caused a sensation by sacking eight of Mr Haughey's ministers.
The very next day he was confronted with the X case crisis - where a 14-year-old girl was refused permission to travel abroad for an abortion.
It was an issue that dominated much of his first period in office.
He never liked being in coalition with the PDs, "a temporary little arrangement", he called it.
At the tribunal of inquiry into the beef industry he and Des O'Malley were deeply critical of each other.
It was clear relations between Albert Reynolds and the PDs were at breaking point
A general election was called he had served only nine months as Taoiseach.
Fianna Fáil went on to lose nine seats and was forced into partnership with the Labour party.
Ireland secured a multi billion million pound deal in EU funds and there were hopes the coalition would last the full course.
But there were rows over passports for sale, a tax amnesty and unemployment reached 300,000.
He did though strike up a strong relationship with the British Prime Minister John Major.
His determination and deal cutting skills led to the Downing Street Declaration in 1993.
The following summer, the IRA announced a ceasefire.
One writer said it was his readiness to take a risk, cut corners, back a hunch and drive a hard deal that kept the entire peace process on course.
Despite the success relations between the Tanaiste were serioulsy deteriorating.
There was a huge flare up with Dick Spring over the publication of the beef tribunal report, a bitter disagreement over the appointment of a High Court President and a related row over the Attorney General's handling of a the Brendan Smyth case.
After an extraordinary sequence of events, Fianna Faill was forced out although Labour reamined in power with new partners without an election.
After politics Mr Reynolds returned to business life , but was again in the headlines when he controversially sued the Sunday Times for libel and was awarded only a penny. However on appeal he reached a settlement with the paper.
There were several disappointments ahead, he was encouraged to seek the Fianna Fáil nomination for the Presidency but instead the party went with a northern based lawyer Mary McAleese.
Another set back came in 2006 when the Reynolds pet food factory in Co Longford was destroyed by fire.
In more recent times Mr Reynolds was criticised by the Mahon Tribunal for seeking donations for the party from developer Owen O'Callaghan.
Mr Reynolds, the tribunal found, had abused political power
The final breakthroughs of the peace process may not have happened during his tenure, but Albert Reynolds lived long enough to see the fruits of his work
During the british queen's visit, he showed his satisfaction by giving a thumbs up
As for his personal life, he said he and his wife Katheleen and his children were blessed .
When he stepped down as Taoiseach nearly two decades ago, he reserved his final words for them.
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