Former Clare TDs are among those paying tribute to the late Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, on his death at the age of 97.
As leader of Fine Gael, he led the government from 1973 to 1977, and was the son of the first head of the Irish Free State.
Flags at Leinster House and government buildings are flying at half-mast in his memory today.
Born in Dublin in 1920, Liam Cosgrave’s political career began at the age of just 17.
His father WT Cosgrave was the first head of the Irish Free State, serving with Sinn Féin and later becoming a founding member of Fine Gael.
Liam followed in his footsteps, joining the party as a teenager, before going on to serve as Minister for External Affairs and eventually Taoiseach.
Normal business is suspended in the Dáil this lunchtime as TDs hear statements on the former Taoiseach.
Arrangements have yet to be confirmed but a full state funeral is expected.
You can listen back to former Fine Gael TD Madeline Taylor Quinn and former Fianna Fáil TD, Senator and Minister Brendan Daly reflecting on the life of Cosgrave on Morning Focus here.
