Former ceann comhairle of the Dáil and Fine Gael minister Tom Fitzpatrick died yesterday aged 88.
The TD for Cavan/Monaghan served in the Dáil for 24 years and was a minister in three departments before becoming Fine Gael's last ceann comhairle for two terms in 1982 and 1987.
Former taoiseach John Bruton, head of the European Commission delegation in Washington, paid tribute yesterday to his Fine Gael party colleague.
He said Mr Fitzpatrick was liked and admired by all who knew him. "He had a deep sense of public service and saw it as more important than private gain.
"On numerous occasions he sacrificed his personal interests for the greater good of his country and party. He was both a commanding platform orator and a wise judge of politics. He was a great personal friend to me throughout my political life," Mr Bruton said.
The TD who now holds the Fine Gael seat in Cavan/Monaghan, Seymour Crawford, also paid tribute yesterday.
Mr Fitzpatrick was born at Scotshouse, Clones, on February 14th, 1918. He was educated at St Macartan's College in Monaghan, UCD and the Incorporated Law Society in Dublin.
He was first elected to the Dáil for Cavan-Monaghan in 1965 and was re-elected at every following election and unopposed as ceann comhairle in 1987. Mr Fitzpatrick was appointed minister for lands from 1973 to 1976, and minister for transport and power from 1976 to 1977. In 1981, Mr Fitzpatrick was appointed minister for fisheries and forestry. A year later, he was elected ceann comhairle and was re-elected unopposed to that office in 1987, retiring two years later.
Mr Fitzpatrick is survived by his wife, Carmel, daughter, Geraldine and son, Tom.