Statement by Brian Cowen, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs on Announcement by Minister of State O'Donnell, 4 June 2002
“Having heard of Liz O'Donnell's announcement today that she will not be available for appointment to Ministerial office in the new Government, I wanted to place on record my personal gratitude and admiration for the work she has done in the Department of Foreign Affairs over the past five years. Since my own appointment as Minister, I have greatly appreciated our excellent working relationship. Liz has shown commitment and dedication in helping to steer Ireland's development co-operation policy into a new era, based on the Government's commitment to meeting the UN aid target by 2007. Her role in the peace process has in particular also been very significant, above all in the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement, and she can feel justly proud of that achievement. I know that she will continue to make a valuable contribution to public life over the life of the new Dáil.”
