Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described the Rev Ian Paisley as "a big man with a big heart" whom he regarded as a good friend.

Mr Ahern said he was very sad to hear of Dr Paisley’s death and extended his sympathies to his wife Eileen, his five children, “especially his son, Ian Jnr, who I know well”.

Mr Ahern said he worked closely with the former DUP leader on Northern Ireland peace process. "He was a valued partner in peace and a charismatic politician who I grew to admire greatly," he said in a statement this afternoon.

“We both came from very different political traditions, but the more I got to know Ian Paisley, the more I respected him and the more I came to like him. In my dealings with him, I found him to be unfailingly polite and a man of his word.

“I will never forget his warmth and his sincerity that day he first shook my hand in Farmleigh on a glorious spring day in 2007.

“He had a warm personality, he was witty, he had a keen sense of humour and a booming laugh. This helped to build relationships from the start.

“I remember at our first ever meeting, which was a breakfast summit in the Irish Embassy in London, he ordered a hardboiled egg. He then proceeded to tell me, with a twinkle in his eye, that this was to be sure I couldn’t poison him! It was his way of breaking down barriers.

“During the period around the St Andrew’s Agreement we were in regular communication and often intense negotiation. He showed bravery, leadership and real political acumen at this critical time for Northern Ireland’s future. I saw how sincere he was about building peace, ending conflict and ensuring that the next generation could live in harmony and prosperity.

“The remarkable culmination of all our efforts was the famous day, in May 2007, when First Minister Ian Paisley welcomed Prime Minister Blair and myself to the steps of Stormont to usher in a new era of representative government for the people of Northern Ireland.

“I know how proud Ian was to be First Minister and rightly so.

“In my speech on that occasion, I quoted George V when he said: ‘I appeal to all Irishmen to pause, to stretch out the hand of forbearance and conciliation, to forgive and forget and to join in making for the land which they love a new era of peace, contentment and goodwill.’

“Ian appreciated that quote and he had played his part. In his time, the Big Man had stretched out the hand of conciliation and sounded the call for a new era of mutual respect and peace. He will be sadly missed.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dhílis.”