The late Albert Reynolds.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has paid tribute to former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, who has died at the age of 81.
Mr Reynolds played a key role in advancing the Northern Ireland peace process, including the 1994 IRA ceasefire.
Sinn Fein MLA Mr McGuinness praised Mr Reynolds’ contribution to the peace process describing him as a “peacemaker”
Mr McGuinness said: “Very sad to hear that former taoiseach Albert Reynolds has died. Deep sympathy to Kathleen and family. Albert was a peacemaker.
Mr Reynolds, a Fianna Fáil politician, was born in Rooskey in County Roscommon, led the party in two coalition governments.
He served as Taoiseach (prime minister) for just under three years from February 1992 to December 1994.
Mr Reynolds became a member of Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) at the 1977 general election, when he was elected for the constituency of Longford/Westmeath.
As Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Minister for Transport from 1979-81, he revolutionised the telecommunications system.
As Minister for Industry and energy in 1982, Mr Reynolds developed the National Grid, establishing the gas pipeline from Cork to Dublin.
He was Minister for Industry and Commerce in 1987-88 and Minister for Finance from 1988-91.
He was removed from the Cabinet for challenging the leadership of his predecessor Charles Haughey in 1991.
However, he assumed the the leadership shortly afterwards in a continuation of the coalition government with the Progressive Democrats.
At the beginning of 1993, Mr Reynolds was returned to office in coalition with the Labour Party.
In a dispute with coalition partners the Labour Party, the government fell and Mr Reynolds resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach in 1994.
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