merrion street

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D., paid tribute to Dr Richard Haass for his work in Northern Ireland, which will be recognised with the prestigious Tipperary Peace Award this evening.

Speaking from Luxembourg, where he is attending a meeting of European Foreign Ministers, the Tánaiste said:

“Under Dr. Haass’ chairmanship, significant progress was made on the most difficult and contentious issues that face society in Northern Ireland. Dr. Haass’ outreach across society in Northern Ireland has had an enormously positive effect in encouraging people to believe in change and to demand that their leaders work to achieve a more reconciled society.

“The work done by Dr. Haass and Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan last year will be a solid foundation for the agreement that Northern Ireland’s leaders must deliver. The people of Northern Ireland expect that their elected representatives will show real leadership by working towards a comprehensive and balanced solution to the difficult issues before them.

“Since the conclusion of Dr. Haass’ formal role as Chair, he has continued to take a keen interest in Northern Ireland and in the political talks in particular andI have greatly valued our ongoing dialogue. I spoke to Richard by phone last week from Washington D.C., and conveyed my congratulations.

“I am pleased that today wider recognition is being given to the central and farsighted role which he played in advancing the political talks”

Press Office

23 June 2014

Note to Editors

· The Tipperary Peace Convention was instituted in 1983 and makes an annual award to a person who has made a particularly noteworthy contribution to the peace-making process.

· Previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev and former President Mary McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese.

· Last year, Pakistani peace campaigner Malala Yousafzai became the youngest winner of the award.