The former Fianna Fβil minister, Mr Kevin Boland (84), has died in Dublin after an illness.
First elected to the Dβil in 1957, he became Minister for Defence in a government led by Eamonn de Valera. He held two ministries during the 1960s: social welfare from 1961 to 1966 and local government from 1966 to 1970.
However, it was his resignation from government during the 1970 Arms Crisis, in sympathy with dismissed ministers Mr Neil Blaney and Mr Charles Haughey, which plunged him into controversy which was to dominate his career.
Later that year he was expelled from Fianna Fβil in acrimonious circumstances. He also resigned his party membership rather than support the government - then led by Mr Jack Lynch - in a confidence debate.
He subsequently founded his own party, Aontacht Eireann, but it failed to gather widespread support. He also unsuccessfully challenged the 1973 Sunningdale Agreement in Northern Ireland.
He is survived by his wife, Cecilia, and four children. Last night Mr Harry Blaney TD said Mr Boland's "integrity was beyond question".
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said he was greatly saddened by the news and said Mr Boland and his family had given "much service to the State".