Former Fianna Fáil TD and foreign affairs minister David Andrews has died aged 91.
Mr Andrews served as a TD between 1965 and 2002, was an outspoken human rights advocate and a key negotiator of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Part of a notable political dynasty which stretches three generations, he was a TD for almost four decades for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and served as minister for foreign affairs on two occasions.
He was father of MEP Barry Andrews and comedian David McSavage.
The son of Todd Andrews, who helped found Fianna Fáil, Mr Andrews was first elected to represent Dún Laoghaire in 1965.
David Andrews pictured in 1998 as he addressed the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly
He was government chief whip from 1970 until 1973, but his ministerial ambitions were frustrated after his decision to back George Colley’s leadership bid against Charles Haughey in 1979.
Mr Haughey remained in power for 13 years.
During that enforced period on the backbenches David Andrews campaigned on behalf of the Guildford Four, Birmingham Six and Brian Keenan, the Belfast-man who was taken hostage in Beirut in 1986.
David Andrews pictured with Gerry Hunter after the release of the Birmingham Six
In the 1990s, he was twice appointed minister for defence and the marine – a role he jokingly referred to as “fish and ships” – and twice more as minister for foreign affairs.
That role included becoming the first EU foreign minister to travel to famine-ravaged Somalia in 1992,
high-level diplomatic meetings at the United Nations, as well as with the United States and China, and his involvement in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
After leaving politics at the 2002 general election, when he was succeeded by his son Barry, Mr Andrews served as chair of the Irish Red Cross among other roles.
He is survived by his wife Annette, and five children.
‘Man of principle’
In a statement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Mr Andrews led an “extraordinary life of public service”.
“From his early days, as a young TD, it was clear that he was a man of principle, fearless in his views and always seeking to advance the cause of his constituency and country.”
“I was lucky to have served in Government with David, and saw firsthand his intelligence, his work rate and commitment to peace, along with his decisiveness, his wit and good humour,” he added.
Former president Michael D Higgins said that his “friend and former colleague” Mr Andrews made a huge contribution to Irish politics.
“To have been a member of the cabinet with him in the period 1993-97 was a really positive experience,” he said.
“His cooperative spirit was indicated for example by his facilitation of the purchase of Collins Barracks as a major public institution and his facilitating the involvement of the Irish Reserve Forces in the making of the film Braveheart.”
Fianna Fáil MEPs also issued a statement to say that they were “deeply saddened” by the passing of Mr Andrews.
“David was a towering giant of Irish politics. His commitment to Ireland, Fianna Fáil, his constituency of Dún Laoghaire, and the values that underpinned his politics were well-known and respected across the political aisle,” added Billy Kelleher MEP.