David Andrews has died: Michael D. Higgins, Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly pay tribute

The former Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, has died. He was 91.

Among the most progressive voices in the Fianna Fáil party for many years, David Andrews served as a TD between 1965 and 2002. A committed human rights advocate, one of the high points of his career came when he was involved as a key negotiator of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

He also served twice as Minister for Defence and the Marine – the latter a role he humorously referred to as Minister for Fish and Ships.

His brother, the late Niall Andrews was also a Fianna Fáil TD, and David was father of the Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews and the well-known comedian, David McSavage.

President Michael D. Higgins on October 10th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

"It is with great sorrow that I have learned of the passing of my friend and former colleague, David Andrews,” the former President, Michael D. Higgins said in a statement early this afternoon. "May I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife Annette and all the members of his family.

"David Andrews made a huge contribution to Irish Politics as a Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown for more than four decades, as government whip and as a member of Cabinet with a responsibility for foreign affairs and defence on two occasions,” Michael D. added.

The Taoiseach Michael Martin also paid tribute.

"From his early days, as a young TD, it was clear that he was a man of principle, fearless in his views and always seeking to advance the cause of his constituency and country,” the Taoiseach said.

"I was lucky to have served in Government with David, and saw firsthand his intelligence, his work rate and commitment to peace, along with his decisiveness, his wit and good humour."

Catherine Connolly at Leinster House on August 26th, 2025. Photo Credit: Abigail Ring

Later in the day, President Catherine Connolly added her voice to the tributes being paid to Andrews.

“As President of Ireland, may I join with all those who have expressed their sadness on learning of the death of David Andrews,” Catherine Connolly said..

"David will be remembered as a politician of great integrity who committed a significant part of his life to the cause of human rights.

"As Minister for Foreign Affairs during the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement, David played an important role in bringing an end to the decades of violence on this island.

"Throughout his time in the Oireachtas, he drew attention to the urgency of assisting those suffering in places such as Rwanda, Somalia and Palestine, while he also showed important support for those such as the Birmingham Six and the Guilford Four.

"Following his retirement from the Oireachtas, David continued to make a great contribution to the cause of human rights as Chair of the Irish Red Cross.

"May I express my deepest condolences to David’s wife Annette, to his children, extended family, friends and colleagues.”
To have been a member of the cabinet with him in the period 1993-97 was a really positive experience. His cooperative spirit was indicated for example by his facilitation of the purchase of Collins Barracks as a major public institution and his facilitating the involvement of the Irish Reserve Forces in the making of the film Braveheart.

Below is the statement from Michael D. Higgins in full:

"It is with great sorrow that I have learned of the passing of my friend and former colleague, David Andrews. May I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife Annette and all the members of his family.

David Andrews made a huge contribution to Irish Politics as a Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown for more than four decades, as government whip and as a member of Cabinet with a responsibility for foreign affairs and defence on two occasions.

To have been a member of the cabinet with him in the period 1993-97 was a really positive experience. His cooperative spirit was indicated for example by his facilitation of the purchase of Collins Barracks as a major public institution and his facilitating the involvement of the Irish Reserve Forces in the making of the film Braveheart.

However, long before that, David had been a forthright and active campaigner on human rights. He was at the forefront of the campaign for the release of the Birmingham Six and the Guilford Four. His interest in human rights extended beyond Ireland and I had the privilege of travelling with him to Palestine and Israel. I recall his arriving in Somalia at the time of the famine when he accompanied President Mary Robinson on a visit to the refugee camp at Mandera. I had been assisting Trócaire in the making of a documentary on the famine.

David, his late brother Niall and his son Barry MEP, have drawn on the experience of their father in making human rights and the movements for independence a focus of their work.

The contribution of the Andrews family to the cause of human rights is immense and his passing is a significant loss.

Sabina and I were delighted to celebrate at Áras an Uachtaráin with Annette, his 90th birthday. We send our sympathies to Annette, his family and his many friends.

Ar dheis Dé go luifidh a anam uasal."