Quinn: Garret will be sorely missed

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn was among those paying tribute to the former taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald this morning, saying he had learned of his passing "with great sadness."

In a statement Minister Quinn said he had known Dr FitzGerald since 1966.

"His contribution to this country has been great," the Minister said.

"He was a man of great integrity and powerful intellect… passionate about Europe and Ireland’s place in it.

Minister Quinn described Dr FitzGerald as "a great force for modernisation and tolerance in Ireland".

"Nowhere is this clearer than in his role in the peace process in Northern Ireland – probably his finest political achievement," he said.

"He can be credited with leading Ireland on the path of rapprochement with Britain and truly paving the way for the Anglo Irish Agreement.

"He will be sorely missed."