The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has led tributes to former Fianna Fβil minister Mr Denis Gallagher, who died at the weekend after a short illness.
Mr Gallagher (78), who was minister for the Gaeltacht under former Taoiseach Mr Jack Lynch from 1977 to 1979, was a very popular member of the Achill, Co Mayo, community. He is survived by his wife, Hannah, 12 children, and 30 grandchildren.
"Denis Gallagher was truly a giant of the West who, throughout his political career, fought vigorously to advance the issues he loved dearly - the Irish language, the fishing industry and Gaelic games," said Mr Ahern.
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, described Mr Gallagher as a man of the highest integrity who served his people and his country well.
The chairman of Fianna Fβil, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said Mr Gallagher's loss would be greatly felt throughout Fianna Fβil.
Mr Gallagher worked as a primary teacher and founded the Achill fisheries co-operative. He was a chairman of Bord Iascaigh Mhara and party spokesman on fisheries in the early 1970s.
During his 16 years in politics, he held the Gaeltacht brief twice, as minister and minister of state, and was also junior minister in social welfare and industry, commerce and tourism.
Mr Gallagher last week gave an interview to a local newspaper in which he expressed dismay over strict planning regulations which, he said, were affecting not only big developments but the construction of single homes on Achill.
