President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led tributes today to former president Dr Patrick Hillery, who has died aged 84.
Dr Hillery is to be given a State funeral, the details of which will be announced later.
The late Dr Patrick Hillery, former President of Ireland. Photo: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times
Mrs McAleese said Dr Hillery made “an enormous contribution to this country at key times in the vital and necessary development of this State”.
She said he had played “a pivotal role” as minister for external affairs in attempting to have the escalating conflict in Northern Ireland contained and ended.
“As we mark 10 years of the Good Friday Agreement this year, Dr Hillery’s noble work in more difficult times deserves also to be warmly remembered and honoured,” Mrs McAleese said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Dr Hillery had served two terms as president “with great dignity, skill and generosity.
“In volatile political times, he was a cool head, who exercised his powers wisely, and assiduously protected the independence of Ireland’s highest office.”
“For forty years, Dr Patrick Hillery was at the cutting edge of Irish public life and set an unsurpassable standard of integrity and delivery. He was a true and unassuming patriot who in his time made a noble contribution to the well-being of our country. He will be sadly missed."
Former president Mary Robinson said her predecessor was supportive of the ways she wanted to change the presidency, and funny, warn and generous when they met before she was inaugurated.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Dr Hillery was "a great statesman, an accomplished
politician and a true patriot" as well as a "warm and engaging" personality.
"His role in the introduction of free education, equal pay for women and his contribution to the creation of the Celtic Tiger are significant milestones in a proud and impressive record which includes his period as Ireland’s first European Commissioner and two
terms as President of Ireland."
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore described the late Dr Hillery as “innovative” in a number of departments in which he served as minister.
“He served with great honour and dignity as President and the fact that he was elected unopposed to that position on two occasions is an indication of the standing in which he was held,” Mr Gilmore said.
Progressive Democrats acting leader Mary Harney said that as part of the team that negotiated Ireland’s entry into the EEC he “shepherded the country through one of its major turning points in the 20th century”.
“As President of Ireland he showed that his greatest loyalty was to the Constitution of Ireland. His actions in 1982 will remain a testament to the importance of principle over pragmatism in key moments of history.”
Green Party leader John Gormley said Dr Hillary was a politician "whose honour and honesty won him friends and respect across the political spectrum in Ireland".
He had made a strong contribution to Ireland's current peace and propserity during his career.
"He brought dignity and integrity to the position of president, and maintained its independence during at times turbulent political events."