Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute, along with all our colleagues, to former Taoiseach, John Bruton. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Finola, children Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, his sister Mary, and our esteemed colleague, his brother Richard.

I go back to when John was Taoiseach. Like Senator Conway, I was present when he was elected Taoiseach. I was a member of Young Fine Gael at the time and was very involved in our party in Limerick. As others said, John was always very encouraging of people to get involved. While he was not Taoiseach, when I first ran for office in 1999, I always remember getting the phone call on the day I was elected. I thought it was a big thing that the leader of the party rang me to say, "Congratulations and well done".He said that the next time he was down in Limerick he would meet me to hear about what I was doing. He showed an interest in everybody. Many Members have referred to what a statesman he was. You were not ashamed to let him go out to represent the country because he was so highly thought of right across the world.

I remember how during his term as leader, the late Jim Kemmy died and there was a by-election in Limerick. John, as leader, camped out in Limerick for a couple of weeks. Even though we had an office, my father had a pub, and many of the canvassers started from there and were sent off in different directions. We had the pleasure of having John drop in. He would say, “I didn't have any lunch today. Can you sort me out?” He was such a lovely, charming gentleman.

He showed so much interest in everything that was going on and was so interested. Even when people came down to canvass during the by-election, he would nearly be the first one to thank them for travelling such a distance. He really appreciated the fact that people came down to support our late colleague, Mary Jackman, who ran in the by-election at the time.

I remember how when I was on a committee in Europe, I met John a few times over there when he was ambassador to America from Europe. I just met him on the street. He would stop me and ask me why I was there. He would ask what was going on and what was being discussed at the committee. He was so interested and full of advice, which has been referred to by so many others as well.

He touched the lives of many people. Anybody who served with him or knew him through various different guises was really impressed across party. He was a devout Catholic and that was referred to. He had his views but he did much for the peace agreement. I pay tribute to him for that because he was able to cross those divides, talk to all sides and bring people with him. That is an attribute that not everybody has, but John Bruton certainly had it. May he rest in peace. Again, I offer my sincere sympathies to the family and all in Fine Gael.