Former Taoiseach Dr Garret Fitzgerald has died in hospital in Dublin after a short illness.

The 85-year-old served twice as Taoiseach between 1981 and 1987 at the head of Fine Gael/Labour coalition governments.

In a statement this morning his family has paid tribute to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Mater Private hospital for the care Dr FitzGerald received during his illness.

They also say he was a much loved and adored father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be sadly missed by his extended family.

Details of his State funeral will be announced later. The flag at Leinster House has been lowered to half-mast.

“A true patriot and an icon of decency”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil that Dr Fitzgerald played a central part in the peace process and that he was a “true patriot and an icon of decency.”

This evening, the Taoiseach said: “I think he would have slipped away happy in the knowledge that his part of his work had concluded and that a major part of the pluralist, equal Ireland that he fought through politics for had been put together.”

President Mary McAlesse says she’s deeply saddened by the death of Dr Fitzgerald.

In a statement this morning she described him as the Renaissance man of our time and a true public servant who constantly strove to make Ireland a better place for all of it’s people.

President McAlesse says his thoughtful writing, distinctive voice and probing intellect all combined to make him one of our national treasures.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth – who’s currently getting a tour of the National Stud in Kildare – says Garret Fitzgerald was a true statesman who made a lasting contribution to peace and will be greatly missed.

Former Taoiseach John Bruton said: “It’s very, very sad news for the country. Right up until the very end of his life he was continuing to make a terrific contribution to Ireland. He was a man I frequently turned to for advice. He was always very good, very objective and kind.”

Another former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern said he was sorry to hear of the death of a man he has known since 1977. He said: “I particularly want to acknowledge Garret’s support for me during my time as Taoiseach on the issue of Northern Ireland.

“Garret cared deeply about peace on our island. He was generous in his advice and vocal in his encouragement of my efforts to secure what became the Good Friday Agreement and then to get it implemented .”

Dick Spring was Tánaiste during Dr Fitzgerald’s terms as Taoiseach. Spring said he was dedicated to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, and added that “there’s a poignant irony in the fact that Garret passed away while the Queen of England is visiting our country, something he’d have hoped to have seen in his lifetime.”

Senator David Norris has said he is greatly saddened by the death of Dr. Fitzgerald. He says he was as a man of the highest principle and integrity, who valued diversity and openness in Irish life. He’s also paid tribute to his intellectual independence.

Barroso pays tribute

President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, paid tribute this afternoon, saying that Dr Fitzgerald was “a great leader of the Irish people and a committed and outstanding European.”

He added: “As Minister for Foreign Affairs he pursued a pro-active European policy and led the highly successful first Irish Presidency of the EC Council of Ministers in 1975. As Taoiseach of Ireland he chaired the European Council in Dublin in December 1984 which cleared the way for Spanish and Portuguese membership of the European Communities.

“We will remember him for the central role he played both in Ireland and in Irish-European relations, but also for his convictions, his brilliance, his energy and his friendliness.”

Cardinal Seán Brady described Dr Fitzgerald as “a committed statesman” who built on his father’s legacy.

Cardinal Brady added: “It is a remarkable coincidence that Dr Fitzgerald’s death this morning occurred during these historic days for our country which have resulted in no small part from his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation between Ireland and Britain throughout his life time.”

Age Action is also paying tribute to Dr Fitzgerald – who was a former director and vice-chairman of the charity for older people. Chief Executive Robin Webster says he made a major contribution to the organisation and its work between 2005 and 2008.

Danny McCoy, IBEC’s Director General, described Dr Fitzgerald as an astute economic commentator with a long and distinguished history in public service.

The Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly praised his ‘significant’ legacy across Irish public life, including the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman in 1980.

She said: “His simple, practical patriotism, a love of country that showed itself in his committed and focused engagement with the difficult issues of the day right up until his recent illness.’

John O’Shea, CEO of development organistation Goal, was a student of Dr Fitzgerald’s. He said: “Garret’s deep concern for the welfare of his fellow man stretched far beyond these shores, and was best evidenced by his abiding interest in the plight of the poorest of the poor in the developing world. His passing is a great loss to our nation.”