Taoiseach and Opposition leader pay tribute to Tony Blair
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has been leading Irish tributes to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who announced today that he would stepping down from the post on June 27.
Mr Ahern said he had become very good friends with Mr Blair in recent years and planned to keep in touch with him into the future.
He said the British Labour leader had put a lot of effort into the Irish peace process and deserved credit for the role he had played.
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, meanwhile, said Mr Blair would be remembered for his contribution to the legacy of peace in the North.
Mr McGuinness, the North's new Deputy First Minister, said Mr Blair was the first British leader to approach the issue in an honest fashion and major progress had been made as a result.
Elsewhere, Fine Gael leader said he showed great patience in implementing the Good Friday Agreement, while Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the Irish people own him a great debt.
