Former Irish Taoiseach and key figure in the Northern Ireland peace process Albert Reynolds has died at the age of 81.

The Fianna Fáil politician, who was born in Rooskey in County Roscommon, led his party in two coalition governments. He served as Taoiseach from February 1992 to December 1994.

Current Fianna Fáil leader and former Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: "I am very sad to learn of the death of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. I want to extend my sincere sympathies to his wife Kathleen, his children Miriam, Philip, Emer, Leonie, Abbie, Cathy and Andrea and to his extended family and many friends. Albert was a family man proud of his family’s achievements and I will remember him as a close personal friend to me and my own family.

"Albert Reynolds was a statesman who had a simple objective, to end violence and to set in train a framework for inclusive and exclusively democratic politics across the entire island of Ireland.

"He was the driving figure in bringing about the Downing Street Declaration, which laid firm foundations for peace to be built. The other great triumph of negotiation from Albert’s time as Taoiseach was the IRA ceasefire in 1994 which was closely followed by a loyalist cessation. This changed the entire dynamic of our island and so much of this is down to Albert Reynolds perseverance. Time and again, he would ask “Who is afraid of peace?”

"Albert Reynolds’s political bravery and his wisdom were the key ingredients in fostering a new dispensation of peace, tolerance and reconciliation, mutual respect and equality on this island. For that he will always have the enduring respect of the Irish people."

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said: "I’m really sorry to hear of the death of Albert Reynolds. Albert acted on the North when it mattered. My thoughts are with Kathleen and all the Reynolds family. May he rest in peace."

SDLP Leader Alasdair McDonnell said: "I was deeply distressed to learn of the passing of Albert Reynolds this morning. Albert did a tremendous job as Taoiseach and will long be remembered across this island and further afield as a man dedicated to peace in the face of those continuing to use violence.

"He was a good friend to Northern Ireland and played a significant role in the early development of our peace process. He worked well with British Prime Minister John Major and was instrumental in bringing about the circumstances that allowed progress to be made. His fearless dedication to the stability and well being of Northern Ireland is a testament to his great character and he will be sorely missed."

(IT/CD)