Ceremony held in honour of Dr Noel Browne

A ceremony was taking place in Co Galway today to honour former Minister for Health Dr Noel Browne and his wife Phyllis.

The event will take place close to their grave in Clochmore, Ballinahown, Inverin, Connemara, near where the couple lived for much of their lives.

A memorial seat, commissioned by friends, was due to be unveiled at the site during the special gathering.

Dr Browne was elected to the Dáil in 1948 for Clann na Poblachta and became Minister for Health on the first day.

He drew wide acclaim, particularly for his success in tackling the tuberculosis problem plaguing the country at the time.

He also came under pressure from the Catholic Church over the 'Mother and Child' scheme, which involved providing free GP state care to all children under five and their mothers.

He died in 1997 and is buried at the graveyard in Clochmore.