PRESIDENT'S TRIBUTE:PRESIDENT MARY McAleese led the tributes to former taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald yesterday, saying he was "a true public servant" and "a national treasure".
Describing him as “the Renaissance man of our time”, Mrs McAleese said in a statement, issued shortly after the news of Dr FitzGerald’s death, that she was “deeply saddened” by his passing.
“His thoughtful writing, distinctive voice and probing intellect all combined to make him one of our national treasures.
“Above all, Garret FitzGerald was a true public servant. Steeped in the history of the State, he constantly strove to make Ireland a better place for all its people.”
As minister for foreign affairs, he had “anchored Ireland’s place at the heart of Europe” and, as taoiseach, had “courageously led the debate for a more tolerant and inclusive Ireland”.
“His crowning achievement in politics was his negotiation of the Anglo Irish Agreement of 1985, which was a key milestone on the road to peace and partnership politics in Northern Ireland.”
She added: “His weekly columns in The Irish Times were essential reading for those who sought enlightenment on the issues and debates of the day.
“During my years as President, I greatly benefited from Garret’s forensic intelligence and sound advice in his faithful role as a member of the Council of State,” the President’s statement said.
Queen Elizabeth sent a message of condolence to President McAleese.
In a statement issued from Farmleigh on the third day of her visit to Ireland, Queen Elizabeth said: “I was saddened to hear this morning’s news of the death of Garret FitzGerald. A true statesman, he made a lasting contribution to peace and will be greatly missed. Please will you convey my sincere condolences to his family.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Dr FitzGerald was “a truly remarkable man who made a truly remarkable contribution to Ireland” and “an unparalleled contribution to public life” in this country.
“His towering intellect, his enthusiasm for life and his optimism for politics will be missed by all and especially by people in Fine Gael.
“Garret FitzGerald was a true patriot, an icon of decency and high honour in public life,” Mr Kenny said.
Dr FitzGerald’s work for peace and reconciliation had “reached its fruition” with the visit of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth this week.
“I know that he had hoped to be present at Dublin Castle last night, but his illness prevented him from doing so,” the Taoiseach added.
Former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald made “a huge contribution” to the peace process and to reconciliation in Northern Ireland, British prime minister David Cameron has said.
In a statement issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Cameron said: “He always struck me as someone who was a statesman, as well as a politician, someone who was in politics for all the right reasons and someone who made a huge contribution to the peace process and bringing reconciliation for all that had happened in the past.
“I hope today of all days, with the State visit and the warm relationship between Britain and Ireland that he can see, that some of his work has been completed,” Mr Cameron said.
He added: “His contribution to this country has been great. He was a man of great integrity and powerful intellect.”
