Former Fianna Fail Minister dies

Sylvie Barrett, the former Fianna Fail Minister and MEP, has died.

Sylvester Barrett was first elected to the Dail for Clare in 1968.

In 1977 he was appointed the first ever Minister for the Environment.

He also held the Defence portfolio and was a Minister of State in the Department of Finance.

Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, paid tribute to the Clare man and conveyed his condolences to his wife and his four sons.