Tánaiste Simon Harris has paid tribute to former Fine Gael minister for justice Paddy Cooney following his death at the age of 94.
He served as a minister in the cabinets of Liam Cosgrave and Garrett Fitzgerald.
He held several cabinet roles in the 1970s and 1980s, serving as Minister for Education, Minister for Defence, Minister for Transport, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Minister for Justice.
Mr Cooney also served as a TD, MEP and senator for Fine Gael.
Mr Harris said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of Mr Cooney's passing, adding that he gave "decades of service both to this country and the Fine Gael party".
"Paddy was a man of tremendous integrity; someone who possessed a genuine passion for politics and working to improve the lives of his constituents of Longford-Westmeath," said Mr Harris.
The Tánaiste said Mr Cooney will be remembered "not only for his contributions to public life, but for his courtesy, his decency and the respect he showed to all who worked with him".
"On behalf of Fine Gael, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to Paddy's family, in particular sons Mark, Michael, Edward and daughter Catherine, as well as his wide circle of friends," added Mr Harris.
