Dick Spring was Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1997.
The former leader of the Labour Party and Kerry North TD was involved in the negotiations that led to the IRA and loyalist ceasefires of 1994, and the Good Friday Agreement.
He's been paying tribute to the late former leader of the SDLP.
Dick Spring says John Hume knew that violence was futile but understood it would continue in the North of Ireland unless Republicans and Loyalists, who were involved in armed conflict, were brought into the peace talks.
Mr Spring says Mr Hume's name will always be cited when peace in Ireland is mentioned.
This is his tribute to John Hume and his wife, Pat.
Former Kerry Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris says John Hume showed courage in persisting with talks with Mr Ferris's former party leader, Gerry Adams.
Prior to the IRA ceasefire in 1994, Mr Hume helped get a visa for Mr Adams to travel to the USA as part of the initiative to secure peace. Martin Ferris says John Hume was demonised for this by the political establishment.
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen has opened an online book of condolences for the late Nobel laureate.
You may leave your message here:
https://www.kerrycoco.ie/online-book-of-condolences-for-the-late-john-hume/
The PRO of the Chapter 23 League of Credit Unions for Kerry and West Limerick, John O'Regan, says John Hume made an extraordinary contribution to the credit union movement; he was a true pioneer, who became President of the Irish League of Credit Unions in his twenties.
