THE President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker broke down as he recalled former European Commissioner Peter Sutherland.
Mr Juncker paused to compose himself after mentioning Mr Sutherland, a former attorney general and chairman of Goldman Sachs International, who died in January at the age of 71.
Mr Juncker mentioned Mr Sutherland's name among other honorary graduates of NUI, along with former taoisigh John Bruton and Bertie Ahern, describing them as "true Europeans", who "saw Ireland's place at the heart of the EU".
He made the comments as he accepted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the National Universities of Ireland (NUI) during a ceremony at the Royal College of Surgeons at St Stephen's Green in Dublin.
"These people reflect the values and the history of this university," he said.
He also held a number of prestigious positions across the world, including director general of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations special representative for international migration.
