Statement by Robert Troy TD:
"I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Mary O’Rourke, former Minister, TD, Senator, Leader of the Seanad, and County Councillor.
"I first met Mary over 20 years ago when I was a young aspiring politician, and she was a veteran and formidable politician with decades of experience in public service. Mary and I eventually ran on the same general election ticket in 2011 along with the late Peter Kelly.
"Mary was a truly remarkable public representative who never shirked from speaking her mind in the best interest of her constituents. She was an outstanding constituency TD for Westmeath, and we must all acknowledge the transformative impact she had on the development of Athlone into one of the country's most vibrant and prosperous towns.
"Mary was a forward-looking, reforming Minister, particularly in the Department of Education where she made far-reaching improvements to Ireland's education system. A legacy she can be proud of as Ireland now has one of the most advanced education systems in the world.
"Her loss will be felt by all of us within the Westmeath Fianna Fáil family, and all of the constituents whom she worked so hard for over the years.
"At this time, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to my colleague, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, his brother Feargal and all of the wider O’Rourke and Lenihan families."