Old Foes in Chorus of Tribute ; Paisley Quits
By MIRROR REPORTER
THE most powerful men in British and Irish politics lined up last night to pay tribute to Ian Paisley.
Heaping praise on his old enemy Gerry Adams said: “His political career has ended with a good and positive legacy.
I want to commend the positive contribution Mr Paisley has made in recent times.
“The agreement that he and I made last March cleared the way for the restoration of the political institutions.”
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: “When it came down to making the Good Friday Agreement work and to having an inclusive executive in Northern Ireland and to have North-South bodies, he made the big moves.
“We’ve worked hard to get the stability, we’ve worked hard to build a relationship with Dr Paisley.
“We’ve achieved that, it was not easy, and now the main player in a few months’ time will go off the stage.
“We have to now work to see if that harmonious relationship can continue. Obviously, I hope so but time will decide that.”
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “The historic decision he took to go into government with Sinn Fein has changed the face of Irish politics for ever.”
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Paisley has “made a huge contribution to political life in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom”.
He added: “The whole country values and admires the manner in which he has led as First Minister.”
Former prime minister Tony Blair said: “Ian Paisley’s contribution to peace, after all the years of division and difference was decisive and determinative.
“In the final analysis, he made it happen. The man famous for saying ‘no’ will go down in history for saying ‘yes’.
“He did so personally convinced it was right and in reaching that conviction, consigning to the past the feelings he once so trenchantly articulated.”
SDLP leader Mark Durkan described Paisley as “a larger than life figure in politics in Ireland”.
The Derry MP added: “For too much of his career he was not a force for good and while he could be politically grievous, he could be personally gracious.”
But DUP defector and MEP Jim Allister, who resigned from the DUP over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein, said Mr Paisley had “served his purpose” in the party.
He added: “It has been quite clear for some time that Ian Paisley was going to be hung out to dry by the DUP pragmatists.
“He had delivered what they had devised, but couldn’t sell themselves – government with unrepentant terrorists.”
UUP boss Sir Reg Empey said Paisley’s downfall was the culmination of a ruthless coup by his party colleagues.
He added: “It is clear the Paisley brand was no longer an asset to the DUP.
“So in the same way Ian Junior was told to step down that Monday or he’d be forced out that evening, his dad was subjected to the same treatment. It’s quite brutal stuff, but between the Sweeney stuff and then the Dromore by-election it was clear his party wanted rid of him.”
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said: “The established peace and continuing prosperity which everyone now enjoys undoubtedly owes a significant debt to the leadership of Dr Paisley.”
Famous for ‘no’ he will go down in history for saying ‘yes’
– FORMER PM TONY BLAIR
He has changed the face of Irish politics forever
– SF CHIEF MARTIN McGUINNESS
It is clear the Paisley brand is no longer a DUP asset
– UUP LEADER SIR REGE MPEY
We pray what has been achieved by his leadership will continue
– TAOISEACH BERTIE AHERN
(c) 2008 Daily Mirror. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.