Northern Ireland's political leaders have given a mixed reaction to the imminent resignation of a member of the Irish Cabinet closely involved with the peace process.

David Andrews, the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Ireland, has announced that he will leave his post next Wednesday.

Mr Andrews, 66, was a key negotiator for the Irish Government working as former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam's opposite number and was involved in the negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement.

He had announced last year that he would not be contesting the next election in his Dun Laoghaire Dail constituency, where he has represented Mr Ahern's Fianna Fail party since 1965.

He said on Friday night he would formally tender his resignation next week - on the day the Dublin parliament ends its Christmas recess - in accordance with the written Irish constitution.

"Now is an opportune time for me to go. I believe the taoiseach should be in a position to present his future cabinet team to the electorate," he said.

'Watershed in history'

Mr Andrews described the Good Friday accord as "a watershed in Irish history, utterly changing forever relationships on this island".

He said: "Its achievement has given me huge personal fulfilment.

"A large part of my personal motivation in entering politics more than 30 years ago was to make a contribution to peace, reconciliation and justice on the one island we are all so proud to share."

Mr Andrews was first elected to the Irish Parliament, the Dail, in the 1960s but found his career path blocked because of a long-standing opposition to the policies of long-time prime minister and the then Fianna Fail leader Charles Haughey.

However, Albert Reynolds appointed him as foreign minister in 1992 and he held the post briefly, before becoming defence minister for a period of two years.

His departure will present Mr Ahern with the opportunity for a government reshuffle and the chance to introduce younger politicians to his team.

Favourites to take over in foreign affairs include current Health Minister Brian Cowen and Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke, the veteran deputy leader of Fianna Fail.

No change in policy

No change in Irish policy on Northern Ireland is expected.

The leader of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour party in the north, John Hume, paid tribute to Mr Andrews who, he said, was deeply committed to the quest for peace in Northern Ireland.

"I would like to pay my deepest appreciation to him for the outstanding work he did. Of course, David had a particular interest because he had family roots in the north.

"As minister for foreign affairs, the northern situation was always at the top of his agenda. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude."

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams thanked Mr Andrews for his "substantial contribution to the search for a lasting peace.

"He worked diligently for all the people of Ireland," he said.

Secretary of State Peter Mandelson is reserving comment on Mr Andrews' resignation until Wednesday's formal announcement.



But leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Rev Ian Paisley, said he was glad to hear of the foreign minister's departure.

"Mr Andrews was the man who told me that Articles two and three (of the republic's constitution) were the best day's work that De Valera ever did.

"He was always totally and absolutely opposed to the unionist people he was an enemy number one of Northern Ireland.