Junior Minister and County Clare Fianna Fail TD Tony Killeen said that the people of Clare could be rightly proud of Dr. Patrick Hillery's long and distinguished career.
"Along with his outstanding Ministerial career in four separate Government departments, Dr Hillery excelled as European Commissioner and, subsequently, as a distinguished Uachtaráin na hÉireann for two terms. He was very thoughtful and analytical relating to matters of local, national and international importance. This stood to him throughout his career and helped establish him as the author of Ireland’s accession to EU membership.
Throughout his career he retained the common touch and never lost sight of his Clare roots. On a personal level, Dr Hillery provided me with invaluable advice both in relation to my Parliamentary career and Ministerial roles. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Dr Hillery’s wife Maeve and the extended family in County Clare and elsewhere."
