Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Social Democrats, I extend our sympathies to the family and friends of John Bruton on his passing. Our thoughts are with his wife Finola; his son Matthew and daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth; our colleague Richard; his sister Mary; and all his extended family. We also offer our condolences to his many colleagues in Fine Gael and to those who served with him in a variety of roles in public life and in government.

John Bruton dedicated his life to public service. He played a key role in working with so many others in helping to bring peace to this island. His support, as others have said, for the divorce referendum in 1995 was critical, a vote which passed by the narrowest of margins and represented a key turning point in the history of this country.

As Taoiseach of the rainbow government, he formed the first three-party coalition in several years. The very strong working relationships he had across the coalition were of note, particularly the relationship he formed with Proinsias De Rossa, the then leader of Democratic Left. It was a measure of the man that John Bruton forged such a good relationship and rapport with another leader who came from a political tradition, and indeed a personal background, which was worlds apart from John. They had a particularly close and good working relationship within that coalition. He worked very hard to ensure the coalition government was cohesive.

People who met John Bruton throughout his life were very impressed by his integrity, his commitment and his good humour, which are qualities of huge importance in public life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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