Ahern speaks of high calibre qualities

The President, Mrs McAleese, was a person of the highest calibre who would fill her new office with great distinction, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told guests at her inauguration. The Fine Gael leader, Mr Bruton, also paid tribute to Mrs McAleese, describing her as a person of "great intellectual capacity and ability" who demonstrated all the qualities necessary for the Presidency of Ireland.

In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Ahern said yesterday was a "special day for the entire country".

Offering "warm congratulations" to her, he said: "I know that, like your predecessors, you will bring great honour to Ireland. You will be representing a young, modern country in the throes of dynamic development that nevertheless wants to remain proud of all that is best in our distinctive values and traditions.

"Your Presidency is associated with the hopes for a lasting peace based on justice towards all, a search in which you have been personally involved. Your Presidency is a symbol of inclusiveness and deeper understanding and of a firm desire on the part of all our people to move away from the hurtful conflict of the past.

"I know that you will do everything in your power to increase the mutual understanding and awareness between people of all backgrounds, North and South, and as Taoiseach I will value your knowledge and advice."

Mr Ahern said in her university life, the President had worked with people at the cutting edge of new knowledge and information. She would then be very familiar with the problems and opportunities facing our young people.

He added that her Presidency would be a compassionate and caring one, "reaching out to the suffering, the deprived and the victims". Pledging the full support of the Government in her "difficult and challenging task", he said he looked forward to a creative Presidency that would leave "an indelible mark of the most positive kind on the whole country".

In a statement on behalf of himself and his colleagues in Fine Gael, Mr Bruton said they looked forward to Mrs McAleese fulfilling her office with distinction.

"As a lawyer, academic and mother, she exhibits the energy and vitality necessary to represent and symbolise a young and innovative country on the brink of a new millennium of great hope for all Irish people," Mr Bruton said. Mrs McAleese's decision to invite 800 school children to her inauguration was welcomed by the National Youth Council of Ireland. It said this sent an important message to Ireland's young people that she was there to represent them.