PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to the late broadcaster and journalist Rodney Rice, who has died at the age of 76.
Rice, who worked for RTÉ for more than 40 years, passed away after a short illness.
He was best known for presenting the RTÉ Radio 1 political programme Saturday View, as well as Worlds Apart, which focused on the challenges facing those in the developing world.
In a statement, the President praised Rice for his work in highlighting the plight of others.
'Promoted debate and understanding'
"His was one of the earliest, bravest and most consistent voices in opposing apartheid in South Africa," said the statement.
"Through his investigative work, and particularly his weekly programme, he sought to promote debate and understanding of Irish public affairs.
"In doing so, he helped to shape RTÉ's current affairs broadcasting, and the public's evolving expectations of the national broadcaster's role in this area.
"But above all else, generations of Irish people and educators will be aware of how much they appreciated his work in bringing the voices of the world's poorest and most marginalised people into Irish homes, through his reporting in the Worlds Apart series, and through his support for the work of many of Ireland's development organisations, which continued even in retirement."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also paid tribute to Rice and his charitable work.
"A brilliant political reporter, presenter and producer, he made shows like Saturday View his own," the Taoiseach wrote on Twitter.
"He leaves a lasting legacy in international aid too in work with Trócaire and Action Aid."
'Never accepted second best'
Peter Woods, head of RTÉ Radio 1, praised Rice's dedication to his profession.
"Rodney Rice set standards. He never underestimated the importance of broadcast journalism and never accepted second best," he told RTÉ.
"To have produced an election programme presented by Rodney Rice was a career benchmark for many."
Born in Co. Antrim in 1944, Rice studied Political Science at Trinity College Dublin before getting a job at the Belfast Telegraph newspaper.
He joined RTÉ in 1968, reporting on the television current affairs programme 7 Days.
In 1974, he began presenting the current affairs radio show Here and Now.
His 25-year spell as presenter of Saturday View began in 1984, while his Worlds Apart series ran for 23 years.
He is survived by his wife Margo, children Cian, Caitriona and Eoghan, in-laws Barbara, Joe and Sorcha, and his seven grandchildren, Tessa, Zoey, Maxine, Connla, Liadh, Thomas and Fiach.
