Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am deeply privileged to have the opportunity to say a few words in memory of a very distinguished Member of this House and a fine statesman, John Bruton. I was privileged to serve in the rainbow Government from 1994 to 1997 as Minister for the Environment under the leadership of John Bruton. That Government, as others will recall, had an unusual, if not unique, genesis. It was the only Irish Government that was formed mid-Dáil term, had a short lifetime of three years and changed its composition. The three parties, Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left came together to form the rainbow coalition. Many believed that it could not survive and that the tensions which had marked the discussions between the parties in 1992 and the history of how the 1983-1987 Government had fallen would make matters extremely difficult. It did survive, however, and did so amid many difficult challenges. A critical component of that Government's cohesion was the character of John Bruton. His approach to Cabinet and his respect not only for the parties which made up that Government but also for each member of it led to its cohesion and survival. He expected every Minister to present his or her proposals with clarity and supporting evidence. He encouraged robust critique and testing of any ideas or any policy proposals.

It has been said already that John was fundamentally an ideas person, brimming with his own but also attentive to those of others. I have said publicly that not all of his ideas were either wise or practical, but many of them were. People listened and stress-tested his ideas. The latter is a very good thing in the political system because nothing is ruled out but everything is considered and stress-tested.

In politics it is easy to be labelled or pigeonholed. Many saw John Bruton as a fiscal conservative. He was, but he was capable of responding positively to economic and political requirements, to operate outside his own personal economic comfort zone. Many saw him as pro-unionist, with too great an empathy for the unionist position. In truth, that turned out to be an enormous asset. John understood that no lasting peace could be founded on coercion or bullying. Lasting peace required a deep understanding of the thought processes and values of those whose national position you did not share. He had an abiding hatred of political violence and made no secret of his determination that violence could not be regarded as merely another form of politics.

I disagreed with John on many issues, both economic and social, but I always respected his viewpoints, knowing that they came about after his own most careful consideration and research.

On social policy, John's views evolved, although not as fast as some of us would have liked. In a specific instance, his reasoned middle-ground advocacy may well have been the pivotal intervention that gave the referendum to allow for divorce a wafer-thin majority. That campaign was led for the Government by the late and much respected Mervyn Taylor but it needed the support of a known conservative to bring it over the line.

I have many happy memories of John Bruton, a person who was great company and was passionate about his politics and his country. He had a vision of an economically strong Ireland with deep roots in Irish tradition and culture, and a firm and impactive role in the new and evolving Europe. He served this nation well and has earned an important place in our history. His family, his county and his party can be justly proud of his great achievements.

I join with others in sending my condolences in particular to his wife Finola; his children Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth; his much-regarded and highly respected brother Richard, who is present here; his sister Mary; and all his extended family. Ar dheis lámh Dé do raibh a anam.

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