Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Tánaiste and my Fianna Fáil Party colleagues, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of former Taoiseach, John Bruton, to his wife, Finola, his son, Matthew, his daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, his grandchildren, our parliamentary colleague Richard, John's sister, Mary, and indeed the Fine Gael Party.

John Bruton was, by any measure, a towering figure in the development of modern Ireland. He was deeply involved in issues that have been fundamental to the advancing of peace and prosperity on our island and for all people across Europe. His time serving as a Minister in various Departments, including Finance and Industry and Commerce, coincided with a period of considerable economic upheaval. Despite this, he was steadfast in his efforts to stimulate economic growth and deal with the scourge of unemployment which had beset our country. He was a patriot in the truest sense of the word because he believed in serving all the people of the nation and dedicated his life to the idea that a democratic society must respect diversity of traditions and opinions. Within this, he powerfully rejected the idea that there is only one tradition within Irish nationalism and challenged us all to look beyond the limits of our own narratives. In these days of increasing verbal aggression and partisanship, particularly in online discourse, we would do well to remember the approach he followed, that of respecting those you disagree with. He was first and foremost profoundly committed to democratic principles, having served as a Member of Dáil Éireann for some 35 years and having been returned by the people of Meath in 11 general elections.

When first elected to this House, as a recent graduate and still only 22, he and his colleagues had little idea about how tumultuous the following decades would be. The threats to Irish democracy were undeniable, something which he felt very personally because of the sectarian murder of his friend, Senator Billy Fox, from Monaghan. No one could in any way question the goodwill and resilience of John Bruton’s lifelong commitment to both ending political violence and promoting reconciliation on our island. When he was elected as Taoiseach, he said he was anxious to build on the work of his predecessor, Albert Reynolds. The formula he designed with the then British Prime Minister, John Major, to allow peace talks to get under way and securing the first involvement of George Mitchell in the peace process helped to lay the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. He would surely take great pride in the restoration in recent days of the democratic institutions in Northern Ireland.

As Taoiseach, through his integrity and ability to listen to other points of view and to compromise, he proved that three-party governments can work effectively. It is a mark of the man that when he finished his public role in 2009, he became chairperson of Co-operation Ireland. He proceeded to actively raise money for reconciliation projects on both sides of the Border.

The other great cause of his life was European peace and prosperity. He first joined the board of what is now European Movement Ireland in 1972. As a Deputy, party leader and member of Government, he always rejected the idea that the way to show you were promoting Ireland's interests was to talk about standing up to Brussels and finding ways to exaggerate disagreements for the benefit of media coverage. He believed Ireland's interests lay with a strong and effective Europe and never wavered in his support for the treaties and agreements which have delivered so much for Ireland and for Europe as a whole. He is remembered fondly throughout Europe, particularly by member parties of the European People's Party which saw him as an important and always constructive leader in times when radical reforms were being debated and implemented.

To be chosen as the EU's ambassador to the United States was a great honour and a mark of the esteem in which he was held by governments around Europe and by the European Commission. He had a highly productive and effective five years in Washington and is remembered for the hard work he undertook to overcome many difficult disputes, particularly in relation to trade negotiations. When he finished his term in 2009 he again continued to work for the cause of Europe. He was a clear and effective voice during various referendums, challenging the negative view of Irish sovereignty put forward by opponents of Europe's development. John Bruton was never afraid to speak up for his views and causes, even when he knew he would face loud attacks from opponents. He chose to serve Irish democracy by being a sincere and active participant in debates about all the great causes of the past 50 years.

There are countless stories of his personal kindness to colleagues and opponents alike. He was a welcome visitor in Leinster House long after he stepped down from the Oireachtas. Listening to media vox pops of people out and about in Dunboyne since the news of his passing broke, you could not but get a sense of the genuine warmth and affection for John among those he represented in the past. He was a man of sincere personal faith, which will have been of great comfort to him during his final illness.

As a politician of substance and a diplomat, John Bruton has left a rich legacy. He spent much of his life working for economic progress, changes in social policy, peace on our island and promoting Ireland's role in Europe and on the world stage. John Bruton's contribution to progress in all of these causes is undeniable. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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