Tánaiste Simon Harris has paid tribute to former minister Paddy O'Toole who died yesterday.
Mr O'Toole was first nominated to the Seanad in 1973 and went on to be elected to the Dáil four times between 1977 and 1987.
He served as Minister for the Gaeltacht; Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestries; and as Minister for Defence.
In a statement, Mr Harris said: "I was saddened to hear of the passing of the former Fine Gael Minister Paddy O'Toole on Sunday evening in his native Mayo.
"A former teacher in Knockanillo National School outside Ballina, Paddy was a community man grounded in the place he served.
"My sympathies to his wife Jacqueline, his children Jacqueline, John, Padraig and Helen, his friends, and to the people of Mayo whom he loved and served. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam," added Mr Harris.
