Former Labour TD and Minister of State Emmet Stagg has died at the age of 79.
He was a TD in the constituencies of Kildare North and Kildare from 1987 to 2016.
He served as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and later at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications from 1994 to 1997.
Mr Stagg was Labour Chief Whip from 2007 to 2016 and was Deputy Government Whip during the 2011 to 2016 government.
Labour Leader Ivana Bacik said Mr Stagg was hugely popular in his community and consistently championed the needs of those facing inequality and disadvantage.
"Emmet was a pillar of Labour politics, both in Leinster House, and in Kildare, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was kind and considerate, and maintained a keen interest in Labour politics even after leaving the Dáil.
"Those of us who knew him as a friend and supportive mentor over many years are particularly saddened by the news of his passing. Our deepest sympathies are with Mary and his family at this time," Ms Bacik said.
