EC president Barosso remembers 'outstanding European' FitzGerald

Garrett FitzGerald has been described as "a committed and outstanding European" by European Commission president Jose Manuel Barosso.

In a letter to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Mr Barosso said that throughout his life Dr FitzGerald was a "passionate advocate of Ireland's active membership of the European Union" and would be remembered for "his convictions, his brilliance, his energy and his friendliness".

Mr Barroso recalled that as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr FitzGerald pursued a pro-active European policy and led the highly successful first Irish Presidency of the EC Council of Ministers in 1975.

As Taoiseach of Ireland he chaired the European Council in Dublin in December 1984 which cleared the way for Spanish and Portuguese membership of the European Communities.