Ulster Unionist Party leader, Doug Beattie, says the unveiling of a bust of David Trimble in Leinster House tonight (13th December) is a welcome recognition of the role he and the party played in the peace process.

The bust by the late sculptor John Sherlock was unveiled by the Ceann Comhairle of the Dail, Seán Ó Fearghail TD and Lady Daphne Trimble on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to David and John Hume.

David’s bust sits alongside that of John’s in the LH annex in Leinster House as a permanent reminder of their immense contribution they made to building peace.

Mr Beattie said: “I am immensely proud of what David did for this entire community and his dedicated, determined and unwavering commitment to creating a better future for all of us.

“I have nothing but praise for the initiative shown by the Ceann Comhairle in undertaking this generous and permanent acknowledgement of our late leader. This is a most generous and sincere recognition and I applaud Seán and his colleagues for this most magnificent tribute to a Unionist leader.

“I must also pay tribute to the tireless work of Senator Niall Blaney from Donegal who was instrumental in getting Leinster House to honour David. On behalf of the Fianna Fail party, Niall has engaged with unionist representatives over a number of years where his sincerity and genuine outreach work has been warmly recognised and admired.

“David once famously said that from a unionist perspective, the peace process was all about ‘being at ease with ourselves and our neighbours’. This event in Dublin was a clear and tangible manifestation of that earnest and sincere desire.”