Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a privilege to be a Member of this House and to listen to the contributions of Members in honour of John Bruton. It is an even greater privilege to get to contribute.

I want to make three brief points. As somebody whose political career began when John had retired from his, I am struck on reflection by how many times I met with, listened to and engaged with John Bruton during my time as a public representative. At a time when others might be considering trying to get their golf handicap down or taking on other pursuits beyond politics, the sense of public service that John had throughout his career never diminished or wavered in his retirement. Whether it was canvassing for Helen McEntee in the by-election to retain that seat for Fine Gael, addressing the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly at the height of good relations between Ireland and Britain, addressing trade events, Fine Gael party conferences, think-ins or making numerous contributions on Brexit and other EU referendums at a time of critical importance, he knew the balance of public service and, as a former Taoiseach, the balance of having something to say, of it having a weight and a value, but saying it in the right way at the right time. That is a real sign of public service, when somebody's time is finished in politics, when they do not have to be in touch with elected representatives but do so because they still believe in that. That is quintessentially the public service that John Bruton had until the very end.

As Fine Gael's representative in the Department of agriculture, the second point I want to make is that John was a man of the land. Through all of the different portfolios he held in his time in Cabinet, while he never held one in the Department of agriculture, the Brutons are renowned for being great farmers both in Meath and in Kildare. John had a passion for and an understanding of agriculture. When we look at his passion for the European project, as has been said earlier, he could see the benefits for Ireland in being at the heart of Europe. Nowhere more so could he see those benefits than for our agricultural industry, to deliver the balanced regional development that we needed and for supporting rural communities the length and breadth of this country.

We all have families who take great pride in us having been elected and being Members of this House and in our role in public service. I cannot imagine the pride in the Bruton family for two sons - two brothers - to have served in that role with such distinction, not just their constituencies but their country and Cabinet through many different roles. To Richard, to Finola and to all of the family, you can take great pride in a life well lived in John, someone we are very proud of in Fine Gael. On behalf of the Fine Gael organisation in Kildare South we extend our deepest condolences to you all.

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