President to join world leaders in South Africa
He will be joined by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, who will represent the Government.
Yesterday, President Higgins said it was with deep sadness that he had learned of the death of “one of history’s greatest leaders”.
“On behalf of the people of Ireland, I offer sincere condolences to his family and the people of South Africa. Nelson Mandela is one of history’s greatest leaders; a man whose unprecedented courage and dedication broke down the cruel barriers of apartheid in South Africa and led the nation into a new and democratic age.”
He said Mandela’s journey to the ending of apartheid and into a new chapter in South African and world history was “long, hazardous and involved considerable self-sacrifice”.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said “a great light has been extinguished” and all over the world the name Mandela had become synonymous with the pursuit of dignity and freedom.
“The boy from the Transkei has finished his long walk. His journey transformed not just South Africa but humanity itself,” Mr Kenny said.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore said Mandela had “a truly global presence” and he not only transformed South Africa, he changed the whole world.
“Our world is a poorer place for Nelson Mandela’s passing, but a far richer and better place thanks to his life. May he rest in peace, and may his values, his hopes, his wisdom and his inspiration live on,” Mr Gilmore added.
The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said Nelson Mandela was one of the great defining figures of the 20th century and his legacy demonstrated to all generations that you can fight against injustice and win, that you can overcome cynicism, set great heights and achieve them.
He said some of those who did fight injustice, such as the Dunnes workers who refused to handle South African goods in the 1980s, should be flown by the Government to South Africa for Mandela’s funeral.
The Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said Nelson Mandela showed by perseverance and vision how to build peace out of conflict, a better and more equal future out of fairness, and out of division.
Former tánaiste Dick Spring described Nelson Mandela as a remarkable man with superhuman qualities.
Nobel Laureate and former SDLP leader John Hume said Mandela was a beacon for forgiveness. He said Mandela was a strong supporter of the Good Friday Agreement and promoted the need for inclusive dialogue, consultation, and negotiation as opposed to confrontation and conflict.
