The death has taken place of former Ceann Comhairle and Government minister John O'Connell. He was 83.
A statement issued by Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said Dr O'Connell passed way peacefully this morning.
Expressing his sympathy to the former Ceann Comhairle's family, Mr Barrett said: “John served as Ceann Comhairle in the 22nd Dáil in 1981 and in the 23rd Dáil in 1982 and also had a distinguished career as a medical doctor, as founder of the Irish Medical Times, Minister for Health, MEP, Senator and most importantly represented his constituents with dedication over a long period of time being elected for the first time in 1965.
"I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to his family on this sad occasion. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis”.
Dr O'Connell was first elected to the Dáil as a Labour Party TD for Dublin South West in 1965 and held his seat until 1981 when he fell out with the party. He stood as an independent in the Dublin South Central constituency and subsequently joined Fianna Fáil.
He resigned his seat as a member of the European Parliament when he became Ceann Comhairle in 1981. He represented Fianna Fáil as a TD until the 1987 General Election when he lost his seat. He was appointed to Seanad Éireann by Charles Haughey that year and remained in the Seanad until he was reelected to the Dáil in 1989.
In 2006, the Moriarty Tribunal was told that Dr O'Connell had been sent a "top of the range" BMW by a wealthy Arab after he had sponsored successful Irish passport applications for a number of the man's associates.
Dr O'Connell told the tribunal he sent the car back to the late Mahmoud Fustok two days after receiving it in 1980.
Dr O'Connell served as Minister for Health in Albert Reynolds' 1992 government and during his term oversaw the introduction of condom machines which had previously been banned in Ireland. He told documentary makers in 2005 that he secured a letter of resignation from Charles Haughey, weeks before the then taoiseach actually resigned over a phone-tapping scandal in 1992.