Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has announced that the Government is to honour Tony Blair's "unique contribution to the improvement of British-Irish relations" by endowing a Chair of Irish Studies in his name at the University of Liverpool, writes Frank Millar, London Editor.
The announcement of the £5 million (€7.4 million) Tony Blair Chair in Irish Studies comes on the eve of the British prime minister's retirement from office. The endowment is to create the chair in perpetuity and provision for it will be made in the budget later this year.
The Blair Chair has been awarded to the university in recognistion of the world-leading research, teaching and promotion of Irish affairs carried out by its Institute of Irish studies. The institute, which was founded in 1988, has played a key role in developing and informing peace programmes in Northern Ireland and has worked closely with both the British and Irish governments during the peace process.
In a statement, Mr Ahern said that the endowment of the chair in Mr Blair's honour was "a fitting way to mark his immense and historic contribution in helping bring peace to Ireland".
The Taoiseach continued: "It is a contribution that will be remembered by Irish people all over the world for as long as the history of our country is read and written."
Mr Ahern said that the endowment of £5 million also recognised the importance of Irish Studies internationally.
Mr Blair said: "This is a great and unexpected honour. But it is also one shared with the very many people in Northern Ireland and beyond who had the vision, courage and commitment to work towards a peaceful future."
Prof Marianne Elliott, director of the institute, said that the chair was "a dual testament to the contributions of both the prime minister and the institute in promoting greater understanding between the people of Britain and Ireland".
The endowment would enable the institute to build on the work carried out in Ireland over the past 20 years and to introduce its knowledge to other countries. "With Ireland now the fastest-growing economy in the western world, the knowledge of its history, culture, language and politics will prepare students for a range of careers," she said.
The institute is grateful to the Government of Ireland and its embassy in London for their support since its foundation and for this generous recognition in endowing the Blair Chair."
The funding will also support several postgraduate studentships and an undergraduate programme in British and Irish politics, to start in 2008.