Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I rise on behalf of the Rural Independent Group to express our deepest sympathy to iar-Thaoiseach and iar-Teachta Dála John Bruton. It was with a great sense of sadness that I learned of the passing of John Bruton yesterday morning. I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to his wife Finola, son Matthew, daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, brother Richard, who is a serving Member and who is with us today, and sister Mary. Richard's bean chéile is a Clonmel woman, Ms Meehan, daughter of the late Dr. Meehan of St. Luke's, and we acknowledge that as well.

As we gather here to pay tribute to John Bruton, a great and principled political leader who dedicated his life to public service and peace, we may also reflect on the kind of world he envisaged and hoped for and where we are now. John Bruton was a man of vision, courage and integrity who always sought to bridge the gaps and heal the wounds that divided our people. He was a champion of democracy, human rights and co-operation who played a vital role in the peace process and the development of our nation. He was also a man of culture who loved poetry and literature and found inspiration and solace in the words of our great poets.

John was a man of honour and integrity, as I said, which shone through his remarkable career in public life, including as Taoiseach from 1994 until 1997. He was also a man of faith who embraced the ideals of service and the common good in his work as well as the significance of faith and parish. John was a cherished and active member of his Dunboyne parish community. He was also a person of dignity and excellence, and the people of Meath, who were close to his heart, were rightly always honoured by John's leadership as both Taoiseach and European Union ambassador to the United States, roles he performed with distinction.

John Bruton's legacy to our society is that of a committed Christian, a patriot and a selfless public servant who inherently understood that sacrifice was a prerequisite to the common good. On this sorrowful day for John's family, his Fine Gael Party and his friends, who know him all over the world, we pray for the peaceful rest of his soul, mindful of the blessings from one of our rituals:

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord;

let them rest from their labours,

for their good deeds go with them.

He will be remembered fondly. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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