Condolences on the death of former Minister for Foreign Affairs Peter Barry

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter Barry.

During our time in Government together, Peter was an extremely loyal colleague, and was trusted and respected by parliamentary colleagues on all sides of the House. His central role in negotiating the Anglo-Irish Agreement planted the seeds that I and others were able to develop in later years when working to construct a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

I served with Peter in Dáil Éireann, at the Cabinet table, and became Minister for Foreign Affairs after Peter’s time in that role. His wisdom and insight during those times were of enormous value to me, as they were to the state.

On behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Peter’s children: Deirdre, Fiona, Tony, Donagh, Conor and Peter, and indeed to all of his family.