President says few served country so well

PRESIDENT'S REACTION: PRESIDENT MARY McAleese has expressed her "deepest sadness" at the death of Dr Patrick Hillery who, she said, made "an enormous contribution" to the State. In a statement issued by Áras an Uachtaráin, Mrs McAleese said she felt "honoured and humbled" to follow in his footsteps.

"Today, we detect his foresight and pioneering agenda everywhere - a free education system, a dynamic, well-educated people, a successful economy and a thriving membership of the European Union, one of the single most transformative events for this country.

"As Ireland's first European Commissioner, his innate sense of justice achieved equal pay for women throughout the member states. As minister for external affairs, he played a pivotal role in the attempt to have that escalating conflict in Northern Ireland contained and ended.

"His efforts to have the matter raised at the UN are regarded by many as the beginning of an international dimension to peace-building in Northern Ireland, a dimension that was, of course, in later years to become central to securing a resolution to the conflict."

The President's statement also said: "This selfless devotion to public service continued as he was inaugurated President of Ireland in 1976. During his two terms of office, he discharged his duties with wisdom and impartiality, all the while enduring the long illness and loss of his beloved daughter, Vivienne, with a quiet dignity.

"Few politicians have served their country so well, with such integrity and honesty as has Dr Patrick Hillery. He was a great Clare man, doctor, politician and president; I feel honoured and humbled to follow in the footsteps of such an inspiring man and one of the nicest human beings it has been my privilege to know," Mrs McAleese's statement said.

© 2008 The Irish Times

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