EUROPE:EU LEADERS paid tribute to Garret FitzGerald yesterday with the European Council, the EU Commission and the European Parliament applauding his work on the European stage.
The European Peoples’ Party (EPP), Fine Gael’s affiliate in Europe, also paid tribute to the former taoiseach. The European Movement Ireland group, of which he was a founding member, also expressed its condolences.
Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, said he was saddened to learn of Dr FitzGerald’s death.
“As minister for foreign affairs from 1973, he played a leading role during Ireland’s first presidency of the council,” Mr Van Rompuy said in a statement.
“Dr FitzGerald, a renowned academic and statesman, was a fervent supporter of the EU in Ireland,” he added.
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso said Dr FitzGerald was a “committed and outstanding European” and a great leader of the Irish people.
In a letter of condolence to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Mr Barroso said Ireland had lost an eminent statesman.
“We will remember him for the central role he played both in Ireland and in Irish-European relations, but also for his convictions, his brilliance, his energy and his friendliness,” Mr Barroso wrote.
Saying he was writing on behalf of the European Commission and on his own behalf, Mr Barroso said he wished to express deepest sympathy to Dr FitzGerald’s family and friends and to the people of Ireland.
EPP president Wilfried Martens, a former Belgian prime minister, said he was very saddened by the loss of his “good friend” and colleague.
“Garret FitzGerald continued, until very recently, to be an outspoken champion of the EU in Ireland. I know I speak for the entire EPP, when I say that Garret FitzGerald will be deeply missed.”
European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek said in a letter to President Mary McAleese that Dr FitzGerald was a great Irish patriot and a wonderful European.
“There are few men or women in Irish public life that have had such an enormous and lasting influence in shaping Ireland’s vision of her place in Europe.”
Former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox described Dr FitzGerald as a man of vision, a statesman of integrity and an intellectual who bore his learning lightly.
“He had an ability to connect with people of all ages, and that was clearly visible during his campaigning for the Nice and Lisbon referendums.”
European Movement Ireland chairman Maurice Pratt said Dr FitzGerald’s vision, drive and integrity were an inspiration to all its members.
“His belief in the importance of Ireland’s place at the heart of Europe remained unwavering throughout his life and he worked tirelessly to achieve the objectives which European Movement Ireland was founded upon.”
