Former MEP and president of Irish Farmers Association, Mr TJ Maher has died at the age of 79.
From Tipperary, Mr Maher was a leading figure in the development of the agricultural and farming industry since the 1960s.
IFA President Mr John Dillon paid tribute him saying Mr Maher "had made a huge contribution to the progress and development of Irish farmers".
First rising to prominence in the Farmers' Rights Campaign of the 1960s, succeeding Mr Rickard Deasy as president of the National Farmers’ Association (NFA) in 1967. Four years later he was elected president of the newly formed IFA, a position he held until 1976. During this time, the association became one of the first Irish organisations to set up an office in Brussels.
Mr Maher was an active campaigner for Irish access to European markets and for a reduction in the Republic’s dependency on the British market. He was also heavily involved co-operative movement.
Mr Dillon said: "TJ Maher worked tirelessly in both Dublin and Brussels to bring about the development and modernisation of Irish farming."
Mr Maher was elected MEP for Munster in 1979, and remained an MEP until 1994. He also served as officer for the Tipperary branch of Macra na Feirme the youth and rural development organisation.
Macra na Feirme President, Mr Seamus Phelan, offered the organisation’s sincere sympathies to Mr Maher’s family.
He said: "He [TJ Maher] will be missed because of his contribution to the farm charity Bothar, Agriculture and of course his deep rooted commitment that led Ireland that led Ireland into Europe in the 1960’s and 1970’s."
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh, praised Mr Maher’s contribution to Irish farming as "outstanding".
As a mark of respect all IFA offices will remain closed on Monday April 22nd.