"I am deadened and heartsick beyond words to consider a life without MaryTravers and honoured beyond my wildest dreams to have shared her spirit and her career, " he said.
L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, who declared early on that she had no real interest in seeing her popular children's book adapted to the screen.
Tomorrow, the culture minister will face her first question time - Jim Allister has tabled a question calling for her to revoke Mary McArdle's appointment and apologise to the Travers family.