Bruton pays tribute to the late Mark Clinton

Former Fine Gael leader John Bruton has paid tribute to former Agriculture Minister Mark Clinton, who died in a Dublin nursing home yesterday.

The 86-year-old former Fine Gael TD was elected to the Dail in 1961, became Minister for Agriculture in 1974 and was twice elected to the European Parliament.

Mr Bruton said: "Mr Clinton was a really vigorous fighter for Irish farmers.

"He was a very capable member of the European Parliament for many years and, prior to that, he was one of those people who kept Fine Gael alive through 16 years in opposition up to 1973.”

Mr Clinton is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and six of their seven children.