Peter Sutherland: ‘Ireland’s most distinguished international statesman’

Leading academics, European figures and Irish business executives have reacted with sadness to the death of Peter Sutherland.

Mr Sutherland was praised for shaping both Ireland and Europe and was referred to as one of the “outstanding figures of his generation” by one commentator.

“Peter Sutherland had, by any standards, made a remarkable contribution not only to Irish public life but also in Europe and on the world stage. From early in his career, he showed his exceptional qualities, being appointed Ireland’s youngest ever attorney general in 1981 at the age of 35 and the youngest ever EU commissioner when he was appointed to that role in 1985,” NUI chancellor, Dr Maurice Manning, said.

‘Skill’
The chief executive of business organisation Ibec noted that Mr Sutherland would be specifically remembered in the business community for his work with the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“His skill and acumen in the private sector was matched by a sense of duty and dedication in his public roles. He will be a sad loss to Irish business and public life, as his wise counsel was always important to us in Ibec,” said Danny McCoy.