Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

On my behalf and that of the Labour Party, I wish to be associated with the remarks of the Taoiseach and Deputy Kenny regarding the late Ruairí Brugha. Like my colleagues in the House, I knew him well. He was a lovely man and, as Deputy Kenny has noted, a gentleman. He was the bearer of a famous name and born in the turmoil of great events, as the Taoiseach noted. He was a patriot and politician and a generous donor of his time to various civic organisations. As the Taoiseach remarked, I met him on the Chorca Dhuibhne peninsula on more than one occasion. As Deputy Kenny stated, it was his habit to ramble into the Oireachtas Library until very recently. I often had the opportunity to chat to him in that context.

His was the passing of a famous name, and he left his imprint on politics. As he stated himself, it was perhaps inevitable that he would be associated with militant republicanism in his early days given his own background and upbringing. He initially joined Clann na Poblachta and only subsequent to this Fianna Fáil. He exercised a moderating influence on Northern Ireland policy at a time when it was necessary. He was appointed to that brief by Jack Lynch in 1973.

On behalf of my colleagues in the Labour Party, I agree wholly with the Taoiseach's eloquent contribution about the late Ruairí Brugha. I offer my sincere sympathies to his wife Máire and family. May he rest in peace.

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