Tánaiste statement on passing of Bernard Allen, former TD and Minister of State

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bernard Allen, someone I served with for many years on Cork City Council and Dáil Éireann.

"Bernard and I got on very well. We enjoyed the cut and thrust of local and national politics and worked together on a bipartisan level.

"He put the interests of Cork first, whether in the Council or in the Dáil during his 30 years as a TD.

"A very popular Lord Mayor of Cork, Bernard was a tenacious chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and an effective Minister for Youth and Sport - a portfolio he loved.

"To his wife Marie and children Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre, I offer my sincere condolences at this difficult time.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."