IRELAND: The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led tributes yesterday to the former British prime minister Jim Callaghan, who died on Saturday, describing him as "a well-intentioned and decent man" in relation to his handling of Northern Ireland issues.
Mr Ahern said: "In this, country, he will be particularly well-remembered for his visits to Derry at the height of the Troubles and he was, of course, centrally involved both as home secretary and as prime minister in many decisions that had a profound impact on Northern Ireland."
"Despite the dark and turbulent times in Northern Ireland when he was in office, he will be remembered by many as a well-intentioned and decent man."
Former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, who was minister for foreign affairs in the 1973-1977 coalition government, said he got to know Callaghan well after the Labour politician was appointed foreign secretary when Labour returned to power in 1974.
"His party was then committed to renegotiating Britain's terms of entry to the EU and within a year he succeeded in persuading British opinion that some minor concessions, mainly relating to New Zealand butter, represented a sufficiently successful outcome to this negotiation to warrant a positive vote in the subsequent referendum," Dr FitzGerald recalled.
"He had retained his interest in Northern Ireland and in 1975 endeavoured, without success, to assist the Anglo-Irish relationship, which at that time was in difficulties following the Workers' Strike in Northern Ireland," according to Dr FitzGerald.
"Being older than Harold Wilson he did not expect to become prime minister, and was contemplating retirement and the possibility of acquiring a house in west Cork near that of his daughter Margaret when he was catapulted into the premiership by Harold Wilson's surprise resignation in 1976."
Dr FitzGerald said Lord Callaghan was "a good man in every respect, with, however, still enough toughness to rise to the top" in British politics.
"He was devoted to his wife Audrey, an equally committed Labour politician, who predeceased him by 10 days after 67 years of an extraordinarily happy married life," he added.