David Cameron has held talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels
The prime minister says there is no deal yet on curbing welfare payments to EU migrants
Eurosceptics criticise talk of an "emergency brake" on in-work benefits that would have to be agreed by a majority of EU states
The Conservative party chairman Andrew Feldman has said Lord Parkinson - who twice held the same post - had made "an enormous contribution to the Conservative Party and to public life".
He said the peer had always taken the time to offer him "wise counsel on the role of party chairman" and added that "our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
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David Cameron has told a news conference in London that he was focusing on the prizes to be won in negotiating for a better deal for the UK within the European Union. He was speaking at a joint press conference after talks with the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Quote MessageI think we should be focusing on the positive opportunity for Great Britain. Imagine the scale of the prize if we can stay in the market."
The Prime Minister said he was aiming for the "best of both worlds" - doing right by business and for jobs - but also winning reforms - which would mean "not being involved in closer union".
At the joint news conference in London with David Cameron, the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the result of the EU negotiations could be a "strong Britain...part of a strong Europe".
Earlier, he had said he thought all of Britain's demands for EU re-negotiation were solvable.
The two held talks in Downing Street ahead of next month's summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
At the weekend, Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said a UK exit from Europe would be "a leap into the unknown".
A referendum on UK membership of the EU must be held by the end of 2017.
David Cameron tribute to Cecil Parkinson
The Prime Minister has spoken of his "deep sadness" at learning of the death of Lord Parkinson, the former Conservative Party chairman. He told a press conference Cecil Parkinson had been the first political figure he had worked for, "a man of huge ability", with a passion for what he was doing - transforming Britain.
Quote MessageI really enjoyed working with him. He was part of a great political generation that did great things for our country."
Mr Cameron closed by saying that his thoughts were with Lord Parkinson's wife Ann and his family.
William Hague pays tribute to Cecil Parkinson
Image source, PAThe family of Lord Parkinson, the former Conservative party chairman, have announced that he died on Friday, after a long battle with cancer. Tributes have been paid to the peer, who was party chairman when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister and then briefly later, in 1997, under William Hague. William Hague has said he is "very sad" to hear of the death of his friend, describing him as someone who was "an exceptional talent and an extraordinarily nice man to work with".
William Hague brought Cecil Parkinson back as Conservative party chairman
BBC News Channel
The former Conservative cabinet minister Sir Malcolm Rifkind said that, if Lord Parkinson had become foreign secretary, as Mrs Thatcher intended, he would have been well-placed to succeed her as party leader. He told BBC News he would have been a natural successor to Mrs Thatcher, "because she would have had tremendous confidence in him as someone who shared her basic theme".
Quote MessageIn her words he was 'one of us'. He shared her views, her thoughts, her ideas. They came from the same position on the political spectrum and therefore she was comfortable with him and had confidence in him."
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Image source, PAThe family of the former Conservative Party chairman Lord Parkinson have said he will have a "private family funeral". The family have announced that the peer died on Friday after a long battle with cancer.
In a statement, a spokesman said: "The family requests that their privacy be respected in this matter. Details about a memorial service will be announced later."
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A spokesman for Cecil Parkinson's family said he had "passed away on January 22 after a long battle with cancer".
Quote MessageWe shall miss him enormously. As a family, we should like to pay tribute to him as a beloved husband to Ann and brother to Norma, and a supportive and loving father to Mary, Emma and Joanna and grandfather to their children. We also salute his extraordinary commitment to British public life as a member of parliament, cabinet minister and peer - together with a distinguished career in business."
BBC News Channel
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith says Lord Parkinson was truly one of former Conservative PM Margaret Thatcher's closes political allies. He was someone who she often turned to for all her decisions. He was part of her war cabinet in the run up to the Falklands war, and party chairman who helped her win the landslide victory in 1983. She looked on him almost as a favoured political son, he adds.
Because of their friendship it was very hard for Mrs Thatcher on a personal level to get rid of him after the lovechild scandal, adds Norman Smith. Although Parkinson was eventually brought back into government he never regained his standing, Smith adds.
Cecil Parkinson was a former chairman of the Conservative Party, from 1981-1983 and again in 1997.
He served in various roles in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet including Paymaster General and secretary of state for trade and industry.
He resigned in October 1983 over his extramarital affair with his former secretary Sara Keays.
Lord Parkinson's family has announced that he has died, at the age of 84.
Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg, in an article for the BBC, says Michael Gove is winning friends with some of his decisions and policies - not least for undoing some plans made by his predecessor Chris Grayling.
Quote MessageOne reason Mr Gove has earned the respect of his political opponents is his willingness to reverse many of Mr Grayling's least effective decisions."