Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Thar mo cheann ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur inniu do mhuintir Ruairí Brugha, dá bhean chéile, Máire, dá ceithre clainne, Deirdre, Cathal, Terry agus Ruairí, agus dá dheirfiúr, Neasa. I knew Ruairí Brugha, as Deputies have mentioned, as one who frequented the Oireachtas, but it was only in later years that I would have been in a position to say I knew him well enough to speak to. From his name and character one would have to have liked and respected him. The long and historic lineage of the family is just one of the indicators that reminds us of the sacrifice that was made for us to enjoy the freedoms we have in this country.

I remember Ruairí Brugha first and foremost as a real gentleman, but a modest man despite his father's portrait hanging in pride of place. One might expect other people to demand particular respect, but Ruairí Brugha was one of those people who was gentle, modest and, above all, friendly in spite of an entitlement to the type of respect which comes with the name Brugha. That is a measure of true greatness in somebody who may otherwise have allowed the historic lineage of his family to go to his head.

This never came across in my meetings with him and he was always happy to stop and chat with anybody. I will always remember him in that way. This reminds me of the measurement of a true republic, where nobody is above anybody else and everybody is entitled to the same courtesy and respect, despite the greatness of a name such as Brugha in this House. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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