Dáil adjourns out of respect for FitzGerald

The Dáil has been adjourned for the day as a mark of respect for the former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald who died this morning.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has led tributes to Dr FitzGerald describing him as "a true patriot and an icon of decency".

President Mary McAleese described him as one of our national treasures, while Britain's Queen Elizabeth has extended her sincere condolences to Dr FitzGerald's family.

In a statement the Queen said Garret FitzGerald "was a true statesman who made a lasting contribution to peace".

The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso, said he was "a committed and outstanding European".

One of the former Taoiseach's final public engagements was at the University of Limerick in March of this year where he received 'The Auditor's Medal' in recognition of his outstanding contribution to debate and discourse in Ireland.