8 Lún 2011, 17:14
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement has paid tribute to former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri who helped mediate the Northern Irish peace process.
Dominic Hannigan, TD, Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri who played a key role in the peace process in Northern Ireland when he co-chaired the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Along with Senator George Mitchell, Mr Holkeri made an important contribution in ending decades of violence on this island when he helped to broker peace talks in the late 1990s and negotiate an agreement that committed all parties to pursue democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences.
A true international Statesman, he also chaired the UN national assembly from 2000 to 2001, and led the UN's civilian administration in Kosovo from 2003-2004.
His contribution to peace on this island and internationally should not be forgotten. On behalf of the Committee, I would like to express my deep and sincere sympathies to his family.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Seán Conlan, TD
Seán Crowe, TD
Clare Daly, TD
Regina Doherty, TD
Alan Farrell, TD
Frank Feighan, TD
Martin Ferris, TD
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, TD
Michael P Kitt, TD
Joe McHugh, TD
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Brendan Smith, TD
Joanna Tuffy, TD
Senators
Jim D’Arcy,
Maurice Cummins,
Martin McAleese,
Mary Moran,
Mary White.