The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, last night paid tribute to the outgoing secretary general of the department, Brendan Tuohy, who retired from the public service yesterday.
Praising his dedication and leadership, Mr Ryan said Mr Tuohy had offered "visionary leadership" during his seven-year term at the helm during "a time of unprecedented change for the public service and indeed the wider country.
"On behalf of the Irish public I would like to extend a formal thank you to Brendan for all of his work and wish him well in whatever endeavour he chooses in the future.
"His legacy is assured as the very model of a modern secretary general."
Mr Tuohy played a strong role in the development of the Sea Fisheries Act in an effort to safeguard future fish stocks and in ending salmon drift-netting - though neither made him popular with fishing organisations.
He was also deeply involved in improving research ties between technology companies and universities.
