Taoiseach (Leader) Simon Harris and President Michael D Higgins among other Irish leaders have paid tribute to America's 39th president, Jimmy Carter, who passed away aged 100.
On Sunday, Dec 29, the Carter Centre confirmed that President Jimmy Carter passed away aged 100. Carter, from Georgia, entered the US presidential race in 1976 and won the presidency in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War.
Leading tributes to the Democrat leader, Taoiseach Simon Harris released a statement saying "It is with the utmost sadness that I have learned of the death of former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter.
"As 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter served in his nation's highest office with distinction and decency before forging an enduring legacy as a global statesman and human rights pioneer," he added.
"At 100 years old, President Carter did some of his most impactful work after he left the Oval Office in a retirement that lasted more than four decades.
"His work in the Middle East remains of global significance and is a reminder of the moral obligation on the world leaders of today as a humanitarian catastrophe on an unprecedented scale unfolds there now," Mr Harris said.
"Jimmy Carter's legacy is a reminder of what diplomacy can achieve, the peace deal he helped to forge between Israel and Egypt stands to this day.
"He was a keen supporter of peace in Ireland and a respected voice on the road to the Good Friday Agreement," he added.
"The world has lost a great humanitarian, the United States has lost a great President, and a family has lost a wonderful decent man."
Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins also released a statement calling Carter "thoroughly decent man of great integrity", who will leave a "rich legacy of public service".
He said, "The values that a global public have come to associate with former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, for younger generations in particular, will have been through their awareness, and admiration, of the work of the Carter Center."
US Ambassador Claire Cronin also released a statement calling Carter a "remarkable statesman, humanitarian, and a man whose unwavering commitment to peace and justice has left an indelible mark on our world."
She continued "The Camp David Accords, one of his most significant achievements, brought about a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, demonstrating his belief in the power of diplomacy and dialogue.
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"In 1977, as Northern Ireland was engulfed in The Troubles, President Carter issued the first formal statement on Northern Ireland by a U.S. president. This groundbreaking initiative established the precedent for the pivotal role successive U.S. presidents would play in securing peace and lay the groundwork for the Good Friday Agreement. His message was clear: peace is possible through dialogue and mutual respect. This statement not only resonated with the people of Northern Ireland but also galvanized international support for peace efforts in the region.
"Beyond his time in office, President Carter’s legacy continued to grow through his tireless work with The Carter Center. His commitment to human rights and social justice extended to all corners of the globe. His work in Africa to combat neglected tropical diseases and his efforts to promote fair elections and democracy in developing nations are just a few examples of his global impact.
"As we reflect on President Carter’s remarkable legacy, we are reminded of his profound influence and the lessons he imparted through his words and actions. His legacy of compassion and service stands as a guiding light, reminding us all of the impact one individual can have in making the world a better place."
Tánaiste (Ireland's deputy leader) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said "President Carter truly lived a life less ordinary, with a deep commitment to peace in the Middle East, human and civil rights, housing, and ending the arms race between the US and the Soviet Union.
"The personification of public service, his work extended to our own island, as he took the first decisive steps to proactive and transformational US engagement on Northern Ireland. This commitment to peace in Ireland endures today."
"A humanitarian to the end, my condolences go to President Carter's family, friends and the American people," Mr Martin added.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said the US and the world had "lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian".
They said "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what's extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well."
US President-elect Donald Trump said that "we all owe him a debt of gratitude".
"The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans," he said.
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