Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to former MEP Mary Banotti, who has died at the age of 84.
Ms Banotti served as an MEP for the Dublin constituency for 20 years when first elected in 1984. She was also the candidate for Fine Gael in the 1997 presidential election.
Ms Banotti began her political career after working as a nurse in London, the US, Canada and Kenya.
In a statement, the Taoiseach paid tribute to Ms Banotti, saying that she was “a talented politician, a trailblazer and a joy to be around”.
“Mary was a former TV presenter and a co-founder of Women’s Aid, which opened Ireland’s first women’s refuge,” he said.
“She also served as chairperson of the Rutland Centre for Drug Abuse and her work in healthcare and women’s rights was evident throughout her committed and assiduous career in the European Parliament.
“She also focused in on and put environmental issues on the European agenda long before it was the widespread thing to do and was named one of the top 10 environmental legislators in Europe.
“Another area she broke new ground was in her work supporting parentally abducted children in the EU, the first person to hold the official role.”
The Taoiseach said: “Mary did so much with her life and had so much to be proud of, but she was humble.
“Her energy was boundless and she always had a nugget of wise political insight or a witty observation.”
Ms Banotti is survived by her daughter Tania Banotti.
