Taoiseach leads Dáil tributes for McAleese

ALL sides of Dáil Eireann joined in paying extended tribute to President Mary McAleese yesterday as she departed Áras an Uachtarain after 14 years.

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.