Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been appointed honorary professor of peace studies at Queen's University in Belfast.
Mr Ahern, who served as taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, played a significant role in the negotiations that led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.In his role as honorary professor, Mr Ahern will take part in workshops and masterclasses with students and will participate in events at the University.
The annual lecture recognises the achievements of former prime minister of Finland, the late Harri Holkeri, who used his skills as negotiator and consensus-builder to facilitate arms decommissioning and multi-party peace talks in Northern Ireland. He added: "I have enjoyed working with Queen's University since I received my honorary doctorate in 2008."