Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I pay tribute to Ruairí Brugha who represented my and Deputy Brennan's Dublin South constituency with great distinction. It has been said that his political pedigree was unique, coming as he did from a strong republican family and being married to Máire MacSwiney, the only child of Terence MacSwiney, who I am pleased is with us with her family today. He left Clann na Poblachta for Fianna Fáil and stood for election in 1969 in Dublin South County. It is said Kevin Boland took a considerable risk to his own position by inviting him onto the ticket. A lovely extract from Máire MacSwiney's book gives an insight into the gentleman Ruairí was as he ran that election campaign: "Ruairí was very conscious of Kevin Boland's unselfish gesture and when he was canvassing, and met Fianna Fáil voters, he always told them that, if they been voting for Kevin Boland, they must continue to do so as he did not want to endanger Kevin's seat in any way". Needless to say, elections in Dublin South were to become a little more competitive as the years passed. Ruairí was not elected on that occasion but went on to win the seat for Fianna Fáil in 1973, defeating his former running mate Kevin Boland, and later ran for Aontacht Éireann.

I was privileged to run alongside him as part of the Fianna Fáil team at the beginning of my political career in 1982 and, though both of us lost, I always found him to be a most honourable, courteous and distinguished figure. I remember him for his love and promotion of the Irish language. He was a true republican. As others have said, in his earlier life he spent several years on the run in Dublin and was interned in the Curragh but, as Fianna Fáil's Opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland from 1975-77, he went on to have a considerable influence and input into shaping a policy of conciliation with Unionists. He continued to work politically for Nationalist-Unionist reconciliation well after his period as a TD, MEP and Member of Seanad Éireann. It was always a pleasure to meet him in his later years, whether as a member of the local Terence MacSwiney cumann, which he attended regularly with his wife Máire, or as many others have mentioned, on his many visits to the Dáil, particularly the Library. He was always happy to advise and share some quiet words of wisdom and I always felt in the company of a very special person. I was delighted he was present for the launch of Máire's book History's Daughter in Dublin Castle toward the end of last year and I agree wholeheartedly with his son Cathal who said at his funeral in Mount Merrion that we were celebrating a long and wonderful life. That is what we as parliamentarians are doing today for one of our former colleagues.

To his wife Máire, to whom he was married for over 60 years, his daughter Deirdre, his sons Cathal, Terry and Ruairí and his sister Neasa I express deepest sympathy on my behalf and that of the Fianna Fáil organisation in Dublin South. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal dílis.

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