Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Three is the magic number, but we will see at the election. When John stepped down from here for the absolutely appropriate appointment as ambassador for the European Union to the US - what an appropriate position - there were statements in the House that day, everyone congratulating the Taoiseach at the time, Bertie Ahern, congratulating John and wishing him well. Trevor Sargent complimented him wholeheartedly that day and described him as an ideas man. I think that is exactly right. He was a man with lots of ideas. I want to share two or three short reflections as to those ideas and where they centred around. As the Taoiseach said, he was a Christian democrat. I heard Dermot Farrell, his previous parish priest in Dunboyne who is now archbishop of Dublin, speaking about him very accurately on the radio this morning. A Dominican friar, Timothy Radcliffe, spoke at the start of the synod on synodality back before Christmas in Rome. He was referring to an Anglican philosopher who was talking about the Catholic church. He says there is always the "and". It is orthodox and creative, establishment and radical, rigorous and merciful. That might sound a bit high-brow but this comes from a Christian democrat root tradition in my mind. I think John Bruton embodied that in the sense that he was conservative and compassionate. He was conviction-driven and collaborative. He was national, patriotic and international. And I think history will look at this ideas man and give real important attention to those last two "ands," national, patriotic and international.

His relationship with John Major was critical in setting us on the path towards peace in the North. I was talking to John Gormley, my former colleague, yesterday. He shared a place with him on the Convention for Europe back in 2002 or 2003. He said it was incredible that when it came to making a decision, all the national leaders of the time wanted to know what John Bruton thought. He was so well regarded. He was seen as such a strong and good European. Going back to what I said at the start about how he continued to play this role, even when he left this House, any of us involved over the past ten or 15 years since he left know that he continued to provide such good advice. When it came to real moments of contention, as someone who was so experienced in periods of crisis, when it came to the financial crisis you would listen with attention to advice John Bruton would give. When it came to Brexit you would listen. He was engaged right up through this period over the past ten or 15 years. He is a huge loss to our country. He leaves a huge record as a statesman and, I am sure, to his family, who miss him most.

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