Tributes paid to Hume to mark retirement

There were tributes to the former SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, following his retirement announcement this week.

The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, said Mr Hume had been genuinely acknowledged as the architect of the peace process. "If it was not for his courage and vision in defence of constitutional politics on this island for so many years, and that of his party, many more people would have been victims of violence. Everybody wishes him and his wife, Pat, well in his retirement from politics," she said.

The Fine Gael deputy leader, Mr Richard Bruton, said that Mr Hume had been at the heart of change for a generation. "His dedication to pursuing peaceful forms of reconciliation has been exemplary. He is probably the most popular politician in the Republic, as well as in the North, although he never had the opportunity of putting that to the test in the South," he said.

The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said that Mr Hume had been a "singular and consistent" voice in Irish politics since the civil rights movement, of which he was one of the leaders.

"It is probably one of the great tragedies of Irish history that a movement that had the capacity to deliver equally for citizens in Northern Ireland, as a condition precedent to any political settlement, was hijacked at the time by the men of violence," he said.

Mr John Gormley (Green Party, Dublin South East) said Mr Hume had been a great servant of the State. "He is a man of peace and has taken risks for peace. I wish him and his wife, Pat, well in the future. I had the privilege of meeting him when I was lord mayor of Dublin, and we travelled together on an official visit to the United States. All of us in the House recognise the contribution he has made to the peace process. He has been the pivotal figure in that process," Mr Gormley said.

Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said: "My colleagues, North and South, have registered their appreciation and respect for his contribution on many occasions and I am happy to re-echo their remarks."