John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I join with previous speakers in extending our sympathies to the family of the late Ruairí Brugha. It is difficult to speak of an historical icon whom one did not know but having listened to previous speakers, particularly Senator O'Toole's history lesson on the great contribution of the Brugha family to Irish politics, it is clear Ruairí and his father, Cathal, made a great contribution to Irish history and to the evolution of the State we now have. He was a visionary in terms of where we have come to vis-À-vis Northern Ireland and always promoted his belief in democratic politics. He is quoted as saying of his time in the IRA that it had become the victims of an illusion that would never become a reality. It is fitting to review various stages of our history to learn that there were people who knew what they wanted, knew what was right and had a vision of how to go about it. It is a pity we did not listen more.

Cork people are very proud of the Lord Mayors McSwiney and McCurtain and have much affection for them. The unification of two such historic families by the marriage of Ruairí Brugha and Máire McSwiney compares with anything this country can boast. It is remarkable and something of which we in Cork are proud.

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I extend our sympathy to his widow and their four children. He was a member of the founding fathers of this State, a Member of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and the European Parliament and he contributed to all of them in a dignified, democratic way.