The appointment of Peter Hain as the new Northern Secretary will be a considerable asset to the peace process, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.
The Louth TD also paid tribute to the outgoing secretary Paul Murphy who, he said, "made an immense contribution to the political process".
"It was an honour to work with Paul [his] qualities of political wisdom, forbearance and unfailing courtesy were widely admired and appreciated by all of those in the process who had the privilege of working with him," Mr Ahern said.
He congratulated Mr Hain on his appointment, saying his ability and experience "will be considerable assets to the process".
"I look forward to working with him in the same spirit of co-operation and partnership that has characterised my working relationship with Paul Murphy.
Mr Ahern added that both governments remain committed to advancing the peace process and implementing the Belfast Agreement. Meetings involving all the parties and the two governments will be arranged in the coming weeks, he added.