Dr No will be recalled as man who said 'Yes'
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TRIBUTES to the one-time "Doctor No" came from both sides of the Irish Sea last night.
The Taoiseach said the announcement was "a watershed in the history of Ireland".
Paisley was "a giant figure in the history of these islands," he said, whose contribution would sit with Carson and Craig in the annals of Unionist politics.
"In recent years, I have grown to know Dr Paisley and have valued the practical and friendly working relationship that developed between us," Mr Ahern Added.
"I respect him as a man who worked tirelessly for the people he represents and who has sincerely done what he believed was right," Mr Ahern said.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Ian Paisley has made a huge contribution to political life.
"The whole country values and admires the manner in which he has led as First Minister."
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair praised Mr Paisley's "decisive" contribution.
He said: "Ian Paisley's contribution to peace, after all the years of division and difference was decisive and determinative.
"In short, in the final analysis, he made it happen. The man famous for saying 'no' will go down in history for saying 'yes'."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that while Paisley had been a controversial figure over his lengthy political career, he had shown "real conviction" in agreeing to establish the power-sharing Assembly that took office last May.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Dr Paisley had "a remarkable record" of public representation at local, national and European level.
"He has possibly been the most influential political figure in Northern Ireland in the last 40 years."
Gerry Adams extended his best wishes to Mr Paisley and commended him for his crucial role in forging the agreement with Sinn Fein last year which restored devolution.
Mr Adams said: "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."
Co-operation
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "For too much of his career Ian Paisley was not a force for good and while he could be politically grievous, he could be personally gracious.
"In the past few years he has at last embraced the necessity for power sharing, acknowledged the benefits of north-south co-operation and recognised the need to overcome past divisions."
The Orange Order paid tribute to the First Minister, saying: "Ian Paisley has strode across the British and Irish political scene like a giant.
"No one could ignore his forthright views and while not everyone agreed with him, his personal commitment was never in doubt.
"We wish Dr Paisley a long and happy retirement."
British Conservative Party leader David Cameron said: "Ian Paisley has been a formidable figure in British politics.
"His term as First Minister of Northern Ireland has helped to forge a peace which many thought was impossible.
"Dr Paisley's willingness to work closely with former opponents to build a new future for Northern Ireland has captured the world's imagination and earned him the gratitude of the people of Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said Mr Paisley had provided "outstanding leadership" as First Minister and brought his party to the historic position of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
He said: "The established peace and continuing prosperity which everyone in Northern Ireland now enjoys undoubtedly owes a significant debt to the leadership of Dr Paisley.
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
