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Tributes paid to former DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley

Tributes are flooding in for the former DUP leader and former Northern Ireland First Minister Ian...
Newstalk
Newstalk

12.57 12 Sep 2014


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Tributes paid to former DUP le...

Tributes paid to former DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley

Newstalk
Newstalk

12.57 12 Sep 2014


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Tributes are flooding in for the former DUP leader and former Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley. He has died at the age of 88.

Gerry Adams

The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has expressed his shock and and sadness at his death.

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Speaking in Louth today Mr Adams said "I am shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Dr Ian Paisley."

"There will be plenty of time for political analysis but at this point I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Ian's wife Eileen and to the Paisley family at this very sad time".

He told Newstalk Lunchtime that Mr  Paisley became a 'champion' of the peace process in the North.

Martin McGuinness

While Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said "I learned with deep regret and sadness of the death of former First Minister the Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley."

"Over a number of decades we were political opponents and held very different views on many, many issues but the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government."

"I want to pay tribute to and comment on the work he did in the latter days of his political life in building agreement and leading unionism into a new accommodation with republicans and nationalists."

"In the brief period that we worked together in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship, which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office."

"I want to send my sincere sympathy to his wife, Eileen, his children and extended family."

Mr McGuinness says he and Mr Paisley will be seen as opposites who came together.

Enda Kenny

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has expressed his sympathies to the Paisley family.

“I wish to express my sympathy to Baroness Paisley and her family on the passing of Dr Ian Paisley. Dr Paisley was by any measure a major figure in the history of these islands."

"I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him in recent years, and I know that he treasured the peace and friendship that he had lived to see, and helped to build, between our traditions."

"His devotion to his Faith and to the Unionist people of Northern Ireland was deep and unshakeable."

"In time, history will come to a fuller judgement of his long career. And, while he was of course a divisive figure, his greatest legacy will be one of peace."

"On this day, our thoughts are with his family and our sympathies go to the many thousands of people who were devoted to him during his life," Mr Kenny added.

David Cameron

The British Prime Minister David Cameron has said in a statement "On behalf of the whole government I would like to express sincere condolences to Lady Paisley and the rest of the Paisley family."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. Ian Paisley was one of the most forceful and instantly recognisable characters in British politics for nearly half a century."

"His length of service was remarkable, as a Stormont MP, a Westminster MP for forty years, an MEP and latterly as First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly."

"Of course, Ian Paisley was a controversial figure for large parts of his career. Yet the contribution he made in his later years to political stability in Northern Ireland was huge. In particular, his decision to take his party into government with Sinn Fein in 2007 required great courage and leadership, for which everyone in these islands should be grateful."

"I saw him most in the House of Commons where his great oratory stood out. He had a deserved reputation as one of the most hard working and effective MPs. Ian Paisley will be remembered by many as the 'Big Man' of Northern Ireland politics. He will be greatly missed."

President Mary and Dr Martin McAleese

Former President, Mary McAleese, and her husband Dr Martin McAleese have also expressed their sadness at Dr Paisley's death.

"We have learned with sadness of the death of Lord Bannside. Our immediate thoughts are with his wife Baroness Eileen Paisley and their children, Rhonda, Sharon, Cherith, Kyle, Ian Jr and their grandchildren. To all of them we offer sincerest sympathies" they said.

"Dr Paisley will be remembered by many people in Northern Ireland as a controversial figure, a political giant and spiritual leader. In more recent years when he felt the time was right he became an influential man of peace."

"His support for peace, reconciliation and power sharing offered with characteristic commitment and conviction forms an important part of his considerable legacy."

"We have very fond memories of our meetings with Lord Bannside and his wife Baroness Eileen Paisley in recent years, especially when they visited Áras an Uachtaráin in 2011," they added.

Peter Robinson

While the DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said "Ian was a remarkable man whose long career in public life has left an indelible mark upon all of us who knew him."

"As a young person in the late 1960s, I was drawn towards politics by the strength of Ian's message and by his charisma. He provided firm and decisive leadership when unionism lacked it most and when it needed it most."

"His enthusiasm and sheer joy of life was infectious and he could energise an audience like no other person I have met before or since."

"A long and glorious period of Ulster history has now closed and already the Province seems a little less colourful. Ian has taken his place in history alongside the greats of unionism making our heritage even more rich. To have known him and stood alongside him for so many years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life."

Jeffrey Donaldson is the DUP MP for Lagan Valley. He told Newstalk Lunchtime he thinks history will be good to Ian Paisley.

Michael Martin

And Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin commented "Ian Paisley has been a major figure in the modern history of this island. His legacy will be analysed for generations by historians."

"His legacy will be analysed for generations by historians. For over half a century, he was central to the politics of Unionism and Northern Ireland. For much of his life, he was an implacable opponent of all forms of Irish nationalism."

"In recent years however, he recognised the need for an accommodation and a mutual respect between all those who share this island," Mr Martin said.

"As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I met Dr Paisley on a number of occasions and I was always struck by his charisma and the strength of his personality. He was always engaging and warm at a personal level and I will always value our conversations."

"In any objective analysis of Ian Paisley, due consideration will be given to his work for peace and a new dispensation on this island. I want to pass on my sympathies to his wife Eileen, his children and grandchildren at this sad time," Mr Martin added.

Bertie Ahern

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has stated that he is very sorry to hear of the death of Dr Paisley.

"I am very sorry to learn of the death of Dr. Ian Paisley Firstly, I want to extend my sympathies to his wife Eileen, his five children, especially his son, Ian Jnr, who I know well, and his extended family."

"Ian Paisley was a big man with a big heart and he was a good friend. He was a valued partner in peace and a charismatic politician who I grew to admire greatly."

We both came from very different political traditions, but the more I got to know Ian Paisley, the more I respected him and the more I came to like him."

In my dealings with him, I found him to be unfailingly polite and a man of his word," Mr Ahern added.

Tony Blair

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said "Ian was a man of deep convictions. The convictions never changed. But his appreciation of the possibilities of peace, gradually and with much soul searching, did. He began as the militant. He ended as the peace-maker."

"He could be an uncompromising even intransigent opponent. But he was also someone who loved Northern Ireland and its people. He led them but he also followed them. When they said to him peace was thinkable, he made it possible."

"I don't suppose 40 years ago he would ever have thought that politically his life then would end as it does now. But I know he and Eileen would be very proud of his huge contribution to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland."

"My deepest condolences to all the family," Mr Blair added.

John Bruton

While former Taoiseach John Bruton told Newstalk Lunchtime that Dr Paisley's religious background helped him to do his job as a peacemaker.

These people in Belfast agreed that Dr Paisley was a divisive figure, but one who had a huge impact on Northern Irish politics.

And Hollywood actor and Bannymena native Liam Neeson told Today FM this moring that Ian Paisley was an inspiration to him.

In Pictures: The life of Ian Paisley


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