The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, is to resign his Northern Assembly seat to allow him more time to concentrate in particular on his work as a European MEP and his international commitments.
Mr Hume announced his decision yesterday to withdraw from Assembly politics, although he did not specify when he would resign. His decision is unlikely to upset the parliamentary arithmetic of the Assembly. It is up to the Northern Secretary to allow the SDLP nominate a successor or to call a by-election.
The likelihood is that he would allow the SDLP co-opt a member to the seat. Favourite to take his place is the former SDLP mayor of Derry, Ms Annie Courtney.
Mr Hume cited overwork and health reasons for his decision. A year ago he had to undergo a series of operations after he was treated in hospital in Austria for a ruptured intestine.
Mr Hume said he had taken no decision on whether he would also resign his Westminster seat when the next general election is called. But it may have been significant that he said he wanted to focus in particular on his European and international commitments.
The North's First Minister and Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, paid tribute to his fellow Nobel laureate. "John Hume has made a massive contribution to politics in Northern Ireland and a significant contribution to this Assembly. It will be a very different place without him," he said.
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin of Sinn Fein applauded Mr Hume's "notable contribution to the development of the peace process".
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said that while the Northern Assembly would be the poorer for Mr Hume's resignation, his decision to step down came at a time when the institutions of the Belfast Agreement were up and running well.
"Those institutions could not have been established without John's immense and unparalleled contribution to the search for peace and reconciliation," he said.