The 83 year old passed away at his Dublin home yesterday.
Born in New York to Irish parents, Richard Burke moved to Upperchurch in Tipperary in 1935, where he was educated at the CBS Thurles.
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He served as Education Minister in the Fine Gael government led by Liam Cosgrave from 1973 until 1976.
President Higgins said Mr Burke will be remembered for his two terms as EU Commissioner under two different governments and his work setting-up a comprehensive system of higher level education.
During his time as Education Minister, he removed the requirement for students to pass Irish to pass their Leaving Cert and introduced Transition Year in 2nd level schools.
He is survived by his wife Mary, and 5 their children.
