Sir, - The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews, TD, has asked me to assure your correspondent Jean Ryan (December 11th) that, at the exchange of notifications between himself and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland bringing the British-Irish Agreement into force, which was held at Iveagh House on December 2nd, he was honoured to acknowledge the vital role of Dr Mo Mowlam.
In his remarks, which The Irish Times published in full the following day, and which were also carried live on television, the Minister said that Dr Mowlam's "energy and humanity were an inspiration". Mr Mandelson also paid warm tribute to Dr Mowlam.
The Minister fully agrees that Dr Mowlam's contribution to the peace process was invaluable and must never be overlooked. - Yours, etc.,
Aidan O'Hara, Press Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs, Baile Atha Cliath 2.