Tributes have been paid to former government minister Bobby Molloy who has died, aged 80.

Mr Molloy was a founding member of the Progressive Democrats, and served as a TD for Galway West until his retirement in 2002.

He was originally elected as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1965.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that "Bobby Molloy gave a long and dedicated service in many Ministries, and he was always a tireless campaigner for his native Galway."

President Michael D Higgins said "Throughout his career, he gave excellent service and his name is recalled with great affection throughout the constituency, which contains Ireland's largest Gaeltacht, the Aran Islands and Inishbofin."