The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last night led the Government's tributes to the outgoing Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr Mo Mowlam, for her work in furthering the peace process during her period in office.
Mr Ahern thanked Dr Mowlam for her "outstanding contribution" to peace and political progress over the past two years. "It has been a historic period that saw the second IRA ceasefire restored and the Good Friday agreement negotiated and ratified", he said.
Throughout her time in the North, Dr Mowlam had shown great courage and understanding, taking responsibility for very difficult decisions. She had brought an inclusive social philosophy to bear on the problems of Northern Ireland, he added.
The Taoiseach said that he looked forward to working with Dr Mowlam's successor, Mr Peter Mandelson.
The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, described Dr Mowlam as a politician of unique ability who had brought immense skill to bear on the painstaking search for peace. "Her arrival in Northern Ireland coincided with a time of unprecedented change and it is to her credit that she so skilfully handled the many difficulties which arose during her term of office."
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said that Dr Mowlam had brought to the role of Secretary of State a distinctive mix of skills which were extremely well suited to the needs of the time: a deep humanity; an extraordinary empathy with people at all levels; personal courage and determination of the highest order; and an unquenchable belief in the power of politics to change people's lives for the better.
Speaking from Luxembourg, where he was attending an EU Council of Ministers meeting, Mr Andrews said it was a great honour to have had Dr Mowlam as a colleague and personal friend. "We worked closely on all issues, but most particularly on the negotiations which led to the Good Friday agreement." Her tenure, he added, had covered a period which yielded developments and progress of a truly historic character, in particular the signing of the Belfast Agreement and its endorsement by the people last year.
Mr Andrews extended his good wishes to the new Secretary of State: "He [Mr Mandelson] brings many skills and qualities to his challenging new position. He also assumes his duties at an especially critical time, in particular the review of the implementation of the Good Friday agreement. I look forward to working with him and with the parties in helping to ensure that Senator Mitchell's review reaches a successful outcome so that the work of implementing the agreement as the will of the people can proceed with full speed."
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, described Dr Mowlam as "an instinctively reforming politician" who had been eminently qualified to be Secretary of State at a time of radical transformation in Northern Ireland politics. "She possessed a rare courage, combined with an empathy and understanding of people's difficulties, which were qualities badly needed during the protracted and complex negotiating process", Ms O'Donnell added.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, thanked Dr Mowlam for the commitment she had brought to the job of Secretary of State, particularly at a time when she had faced serious personal illness. "She showed a generosity of spirit and a practical wisdom in her approach that inspired all those who worked with her", he said.
The Labour party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said that Dr Mowlam had shown tremendous skill, tenacity and dedication during her two years as Northern Ireland Secretary. "The people of the entire island owe her a debt of gratitude for the work she has done at one of the most critical stages in the history of this island", he said.