Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I had the privilege of standing with Ruairí Brugha for Dáil Éireann in South Dublin, and I served with him in Seanad Éireann for many years. It was there I learned of his integrity, his love of Ireland and Fianna Fáil, and his embracing of republicanism as a peaceful and respectful doctrine. That shone through in everything he did. His commitment to Irish unity did not change in all his years, and his commitment to the Irish language was steadfast. He was ahead of his time in many ways in his commitment to reconciliation. In serving as Jack Lynch's spokesman on Northern Ireland in the 1973 to 1977 period, he was committed to the reconciliation.

Máire MacSwiney, later to become Máire Brugha, who is with us today, has made her own fine contribution as the daughter of Terence MacSwiney. The Taoiseach referred to her wonderful book, History's Daughter, which is a fantastic addition to Irish history.

I join with other speakers who expressed sympathy to Máire, his son Cathal, with whom I enjoyed many a political endeavour, to Deirdre, Terry, Ruairí, his sister Neasa and all the extended Brugha family.

Before he entered politics Ruairí was in business, where he seems to have learned about public relations as managing director of the Kingston Clothing Company. He also had a sense of humour and I remember, though I do not know if many others in the House are old enough to, a wonderful advertisement which went: "A Kingston shirt makes all the difference". Ruairí must have coined that line himself because it certainly made the point.

I recall canvassing with him in south Dublin. Ruairí loved a debate, as Máire will recall. We were knocking on doors but not making much progress, only getting through one every half hour. When we arrived at one door the person opened it to say they were voting for us and that we did not need to be detained. That was not satisfactory for Ruairí, who decided he wanted a debate so inquired as to why they were supporting us. The debate lasted for a half hour and I am not sure at the end of it whether they voted for us or not.

One of the things I loved about him was the fact that he cared about the issues, loved his country, loved south Dublin and, most of all, loved his family. Dáil Éireann is proud of him and salutes him today. Tá sé de phribhléid agam cúpla focal a rá in ómós do Ruairí Brugha. Is cailliúint mhór é go bhfuil sé imithe anois, agus ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl do Mháire agus dá chlann.

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