The President, Mrs McAleese, last night paid tribute to Cardinal Hume, describing him as a man of deep faith and humanity "from whom integrity radiated". The President had spoken with the cardinal a few weeks ago, and said he had a great interest in Ireland and in the peaceful resolution of conflict here.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said: "Cardinal Hume was a quiet and gentle man who, in his own quiet and unassuming way, led the Catholic Church in England and Wales for the past 23 years. In particular, his promotion of, and support for, peace in Northern Ireland during his period in Westminster will long be remembered with gratitude and respect by people of all religions and none on this island."
The Director of the Catholic Information Office, Mr Jim Cantwell, issued a statement on behalf of Cardinal Cathal Daly. He said Dr Daly was in Tuscon, Arizona, conducting a retreat for US bishops - an engagement originally to have been fulfilled by Cardinal Hume. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, said the death of Cardinal Hume "left us with a profound sense of loss".
"It is like the loss we experienced at the death of Pope John XX111. All that we mean by the word `good' as we apply it to Pope John XX111 shone in the life of Cardinal Hume," he said in a statement from Rome, where the Irish bishops are meeting.