Taoiseach Enda Kenny has led tributes to Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden who has die. Ms McFadden (51), who was TD for Longford-Westmeath, suffered motor neurone disease and had been unwell for some time after her diagnosis in the summer of 2012.

In an emotional tribute in the Dáil, Mr Kenny said they were “devastated” at her death but “uplifted by her courage and her insight into this journey”. He described her as “a woman of great joy and she will bring that joy with her to her new life and her new place”. Offering his sympathy to her daughter Caren and son Eoin, he said it was significant that she “passed away on the feast of the annunciation” and would now be free of the suffering she had endured.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore expressed the sadness of the Labour Party and offered their deepest sympathy to her children. "We saw here, with a great deal of sadness, her condition progress," he said. "We all understood where it would eventually lead but, notwithstanding that, we are all struck by a great sadness and loss at her passing."

He said she “brought a sense of joy to this House” and was somebody in whose company it was always a pleasure to be.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, offering the sympathies of his party, said Ms McFadden “represented the very best of commitment to public service in our country”. He said politics frequently became very negative but Ms McFadden’s fundamental commitment was to serve the public as a county councillor, a Senator and a TD, representing the public in Athlone and the wider Longford-Westmeath area. “She was a very nice person who got on well with everyone she came into contact with,” he added.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he had only heard of Ms McFadden's death in the previous hour. Offering the sympathies of Sinn Féin to her family, friends and colleagues he said he had not known her very well, but described her as a "very cheerful, positive woman".

Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan, speaking for the technical group of Independent TDs, recalled that when she was first elected to the Dáil in a 2009 byelection, her office was alongside Ms McFadden’s. She had assisted her greatly in adjusting to the Dáil. Ms O’Sullivan, who had a friend with the illness, described motor neurone disease as a “cruel, cruel illness” and said she and Ms McFadden had discussed it.

She said it affected people differently and for the Fine Gael TD, her speech was first affected. She offered sympathies to Ms McFadden’s family, friends, colleagues in Fine Gael and her former colleagues in the Seanad.

The Dáil chamber observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

Later in a statement, Fine Gael chairman Charlie Flanagan said "she showed tremendous fortitude and courage in the past year, as she battled with what was a very serious and debilitating illness.

“Nicky McFadden was a tireless worker on behalf of all of her constituents in Longford-Westmeath, and had been a distinguished public representative at local and national level for many years,” Mr Flanagan said.

“She brought a great sense of kindness, dedication, compassion and humour to her dealings with everyone. She will be greatly missed by her parliamentary colleagues, who held her in great affection and esteem.

“Our sympathies, thoughts and prayers go to all of her family, especially her children Caren and Eoin. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam”.