Taoiseach leads Dáil tributes for McAleese
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the country was the better for her spell as President, stating: “Over the years we became accustomed to her warmth, her compassion, her love of life, her approachability.”
Mr Kenny said President McAleese had raised her three children, Emma, Sarah and Justin, during her time in Áras an Uachtarain and that with her husband Martin, “what they achieved, together, with and for communities was as remarkable as it was brave.
“She was there to comfort and reassure in times of crisis. In every parish across our country, people felt touched and uplifted by the presence of their President. She had the same beaming smile for everyone.”
The Taoiseach paid tribute to the President’s role during the recent visit of the Queen and said: “Even if she were never President, it would still be an honour to call her my friend.”
Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said President McAleese was the true embodiment of public service and had won not just the minds of the Irish people, but their hearts.
The tributes from the opposition benches were led by Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, who said President McAleese now “rightly enjoys a special place in the hearts of the Irish people”.
“It is said that a week is a long time in politics. Fourteen years is a significant and lengthy period, in any person’s life and it is an extraordinarily long time to dedicate oneself to the role of Ireland’s first citizen.
“It is fair to say during this lengthy period, every day at home and abroad, Mary McAleese has been a President that has made the Irish people proud. And she has carried out her duties wisely and independently, motivated only by her overwhelming commitment to serve the Irish people.”
He said President McAleese will “forever be synonymous with the cause of peace”, having “put reconciliation at the heart of her presidency” and that history may well recall her as the best President.
Hailing her role in the Peace Process, Mr Martin said: “The Presidency belongs to the people and Mary McAleese by her actions has been the people’s President.”
Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said President McAleese would be remembered as someone who made a very significant and long-term contribution to lasting peace on the island of Ireland.
Independent TD Finian McGrath said her presidency had been characterised by “building bridges and reaching out to the opposite side of the community.”
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