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The Government regrets to announce the sudden death of Minister of State, Shane McEntee TD. Our thoughts and prayers are with Shane's family and friends at this deeply sad time.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said :

I am devastated at the sudden passing of Minister of State Shane McEntee T.D,.

Since his election to the Dail, Shane has been a dedicated servant of the people of Meath. As Minister of State, he brought great energy, diligence and enthusiasm to his role.

On a personal level Shane McEntee was a loyal friend and colleague and my thoughts and prayers go out to Kathleen and their family at this very sad time.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore also expressed his sympathy to the wife and family of the Minister of State:

I was very saddened to hear of Shane’s death and I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to his wife Kathleen and their children at this very sad time.

I would also like to offer my condolences to the Taoiseach, and the members of Fine Gael on the loss of their colleague’.

Shane was a passionate advocate for his Meath East constituents, particularly for the farming community.

His good nature and warm personality will be sadly missed by his parliamentary colleagues from across the political divide.

Ar dheis Dé go rabh a anam.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said:

The news yesterday of Shane's death has shocked and numbed us all in Fine Gael and in the Department of Agriculture. Shane was one of the most honest and big-hearted people I have ever had the privilege to know. His popularity crossed the political divide, everybody loved Shane. We are all just devastated at his untimely death.

He was such a fantastic support within the Department of Agriculture - talented, down to earth and loyal to the core whenever I needed him. He understood farmers and rural people in a way that I can only aspire to.

Farmers loved Shane for his blunt and practical approach to solving problems. He was a people person who really took the problems of others to his heart and advocated passionately for the values he believed in and the people he represented.

Shane was such a family man, his wife Kathleen and his children meant everything to him. They will miss him so much and our thoughts and prayers this Christmas and for a long time after will be with them all.

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch expressed her deep sorrow at the death of her friend and colleague. Minister Lynch said:

Shane McEntee was so well known and respected as a sincere, hard worker dedicated to serving not only his constituents but all the people of Ireland and in particular the youth of this country. He was an outstanding man and politician in whom we are all justifiably proud. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.