The former Fianna Fáil minister Michael J Noonan has died in Limerick aged 78.
A native of Bruff, Co Limerick, Mr Noonan entered public life in 1967, when he was elected to Limerick County Council.
He served as a member until 1991.
He was elected to the Dáil as a Fianna Fáil TD in the constituency of Limerick West on his first attempt in 1969 , and served as a TD until the election of 1997.
He was a supporter of former Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey and was appointed party spokesperson on agriculture in 1983.
He was appointed minister for defence in the government led by Mr Haughey in 1987 .
Mr Noonan retired from public life in 1997.
He died yesterday evening at Milford Hospice after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife Helen; his four daughters Marie, Anne, Catherine and Carmel; and by his sons John and Pat.
